Atty. John Y. Pearce

Atty. John Y. Pearce

A partner of Montgomery Barnett, John Pearce is engaged in general civil practice concentrating in energy (oil and gas) and environmental law for a variety of clients both corporate (international, national, regional and local) and individual. With broad experience in civil litigation and corporate, partnership, environmental, banking, securities and contract law including interpretation, negotiation and preparation of a wide variety of contracts, Mr.

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Profile Summary

About John Y. Pearce at a glance

John Y. Pearce is a environmental and energy attorney based in New Orleans, Louisiana, practicing at Gordon Arata. Admitted to practice in Louisiana, Supreme Court of Louisiana and all Louisiana State Courts, Louisiana, U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana, Louisiana, U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits; and the U.S. Court of Claims, and New York, Southern District, Visiting Attorney. Educated at Louisiana State University (J.D., 1977). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Energy Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Mining Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Natural Resources Law (2026). Serands clients in New Orleans, LA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • A partner of Montgomery Barnett, John Pearce is engaged in general civil practice concentrating in energy (oil and gas) and environmental law for a variety of clients both corporate (international, national, regional and local) and individual
  • With broad experience in civil litigation and corporate, partnership, environmental, banking, securities and contract law including interpretation, negotiation and preparation of a wide variety of contracts, Mr. Pearce has handled or participated in a broad range of litigation matters before both state and federal courts and regulatory and administrative agencies as well as matters concluded through alternative dispute resolution
  • He also has an extensive real estate practice primarily involving abstract title examination for both major and independent oil companies and rendition of title opinions on numerous oil and gas properties
  • A member of the American Bar Association (House of Delegates 1998-2002), Louisiana State Bar Association (Council of Mineral Law Section, 1988-92; Chairman, 1993-1994, House of Delegates 1999-2001), the New Orleans Bar Association (Executive Committee, 1984-86 and 1993-1999; President, 1997-98; President of the Board of Directors of the New Orleans Bar Foundation, 2009-), and the Defense Research Institute, Mr. Pearce was President of the New Orleans Legal Assistance Corporation from 1999-2002 and was the first President of the Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Corporation (2002-2004)
  • He is a prior member of the board of the New Orleans Pro Bono Project
  • He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Louisiana and all Louisiana state courts, the U.S
  • District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana and the U.S
  • Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits, the U.S
  • Court of Claims and the United States Supreme Court
  • Mr. Pearce has also been admitted as a visiting attorney in the Southern District of New York
  • Co-author of the Louisiana Geothermal Energy Resources Act (LA
  • R.S. 30:800 et seq.), Mr. Pearce authored, among other articles, the Recent Developments Column for Mineral Law in the Louisiana Bar Journal from 1991 to 2006, and has chaired or lectured at various oil and gas or environmental law related seminars
  • A New Orleans native, Mr. Pearce was born in 1948 and graduated from Louisiana State University in 1973
  • He clerked at the Louisiana State Mineral Board from 1973-76 and received a Juris Doctor from Louisiana State University Law School in 1976
  • He joined the law firm of Doyle, Smith & Doyle in 1977 and was made a partner in 1979
  • Doyle, Smith & Doyle merged into Montgomery, Barnett in 1984

Practice Areas Explained

John Y. Pearce's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases John Y. Pearce handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Environmental Law

Environmental attorneys for regulatory compliance, contamination, land use, and natural resource law.

John Y. Pearce is one of 56,434 environmental attorneys indexed nationally. Browse environmental attorneys in Louisiana →

Energy & Utilities Law

Energy attorneys for oil & gas, renewables, utility regulation, and energy sector transactions.

John Y. Pearce is one of 36,230 energy attorneys indexed nationally. Browse energy attorneys in Louisiana →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Louisiana

Practicing law in Louisiana. Legal matters in Louisiana are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in New Orleans are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Louisiana state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Louisiana brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Louisiana courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Louisiana attorneys? Browse all attorneys in New Orleans or all attorneys in Louisiana.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about John Y. Pearce

Where is John Y. Pearce's law office located?
John Y. Pearce's law practice is located in New Orleans, Louisiana. The firm is Gordon Arata. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does John Y. Pearce handle?
John Y. Pearce focuses on environmental, energy. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Louisiana.
Where did John Y. Pearce go to law school?
John Y. Pearce earned their education at (J.D., 1977).
How can I contact John Y. Pearce for a consultation?
You can contact John Y. Pearce directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has John Y. Pearce received?
John Y. Pearce's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Energy Law; Best Lawyers in America — Mining Law; Best Lawyers in America — Natural Resources Law; Best Lawyers in America — Oil and Gas Law; Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:.

Education

J.D.
Louisiana State University
- 1977

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Energy Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Mining Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Natural Resources Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Oil and Gas Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Energy
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Environmental
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Mining
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Oil and Gas
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Natural Resources Law (New Orleans)
- 2024
Lawyer of the Year — Natural Resources Law (New Orleans)
- 2017
Lawyer of the Year — Natural Resources Law (New Orleans)
- 2015
Lawyer of the Year — Oil and Gas Law (New Orleans)
- 2014

Bar Admissions

Louisiana, Supreme Court of Louisiana and all Louisiana State Courts
Louisiana, U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana
Louisiana, U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits; and the U.S. Court of Claims
New York, Southern District, Visiting Attorney

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