Atty. Robert E. "Bob" Holden
Bob Holden is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group and is co-team leader of the firm’s environmental litigation team. He counsels clients on environmental regulatory compliance, enforcement actions, and related commercial litigation.
Environmental Law & More Attorney · Serving New Orleans, LA
Profile Summary
About Robert E. "Bob" Holden at a Glance
Robert E. "Bob" Holden is a litigation and environmental attorney based in New Orleans, Louisiana, practicing at Jones Walker Llp. Admitted to practice in Louisiana, Louisiana State Bar Association, Florida, The Florida Bar, and Texas, State Bar of Texas. Educated at University of Florida (J.D., 1978) and Florida State University (BS, 1972). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Environmental Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Environmental (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serves clients in New Orleans, LA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Robert E. "Bob" Holden
- Bob Holden is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group and is co-team leader of the firm’s environmental litigation team
- He counsels clients on environmental regulatory compliance, enforcement actions, and related commercial litigation
- With his deep understanding of the law and decades of experience in the field, Bob assists clients in developing practical, compliance-oriented solutions to environmental and related legal challenges
- Bob represents businesses in the energy, chemicals, manufacturing, and other industries with significant operations across the southeastern United States and in the Gulf of Mexico
- Bob leads the firm’s environmental litigation team
- He regularly counsels clients on a broad range of environmental and regulatory requirements in relation to air (including Clean Air Act Title V, Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT), and New Source Review (NSR) Standards)
- wastewater (including the Louisiana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (LPDES) and Gulf of Mexico General National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit programs)
- hazardous waste (with a particular focus on generator issues)
- and solid-waste (including permitting and closures)
- He also provides advice to OCS operators on Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) operational rules
- Bob has represented numerous clients in enforcement proceedings before EPA headquarters, EPA Regions 6 and 8, and before the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ)
- Among his representative matters, Bob currently represents a major chemical company on Clean Air Act and Louisiana air control matters related to the acquisition of a Louisiana neoprene plant, and on post-acquisition claims against the former owner
- In 2010 to 2013, he led a firmwide team of attorneys on behalf of BP in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill
- He has in-depth experience with the Oil Pollution Act, similar state statutes, and Oil Spill Financial Responsibility requirements
- He has also worked on major oil spills caused by Hurricane Katrina and other pipeline spills
- Among noteworthy engagements, Bob serves as lead industry counsel at the Combustion and Dutchtown Superfund sites
- Bob had a lead role in preparing industry comments on the EPA's PVC MACT rulemaking in 2012
- He served as lead environmental counsel for the permitting of chemical plants in St. James and Iberville Parishes and of a commercial hazardous waste incinerator located in St. Mary Parish
- He also was lead environmental counsel of permitting under the Deep Water Port Act of the Freeport Main Pass Energy Hub in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico
- In his litigation practice, Bob represents natural resources, petrochemical, and industrial companies facing high-exposure environmental litigation, including environmental enforcement and regulatory matters, oil spills and oil-spill insurance claims, and energy litigation
- Numerous international, national, and local corporations alike rely on his keen legal insights and network of industry and government contacts to provide effective responses to disputes that arise in relation to their operations in Louisiana and on the Outer Continental Shelf
Practice Areas Explained
Robert E. "Bob" Holden's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Robert E. "Bob" Holden handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in New Orleans.
Civil Litigation in New Orleans
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Robert E. "Bob" Holden is one of 450,750 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Louisiana →
Environmental Law in New Orleans
Environmental attorneys for regulatory compliance, contamination, land use, and natural resource law.
Robert E. "Bob" Holden is one of 55,977 environmental attorneys indexed nationally. Browse environmental attorneys in Louisiana →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in New Orleans
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 venue, 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.
New Orleans Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a New Orleans-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Louisiana attorneys? Browse all attorneys in New Orleans or all attorneys in Louisiana.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in New Orleans Choose Robert E. "Bob" Holden
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Robert E. "Bob" Holden's practice in the field of litigation and environmental.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Louisiana, Louisiana State Bar Association, Florida, The Florida Bar, and Texas, State Bar of Texas, Robert E. "Bob" Holden can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering litigation and environmental, Robert E. "Bob" Holden can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in New Orleans
A New Orleans-based practice means Robert E. "Bob" Holden attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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Robert E. "Bob" Holden's Practice Areas & Specializations
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