J.P. Graf

John Philip “J.P.” Graf

Member

1015 Saint John Street
Lafayette, LA 70501-6711

Main: 337.237.0132

jgraf@gordonarata.com

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John Philip (“J.P.”) Graf represents clients in commercial disputes and litigation, including energy, construction, banking, property, and general commercial litigation. He is also experienced in product liability, premises liability, industrial accidents, and maritime and offshore matters. He has served as lead trial counsel and co-counsel, managing litigation matters from intake through trials and appeals, in state and federal courts throughout Louisiana. “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” Albert Einstein. J.P. takes this approach to the courtroom, boiling down complex, fact-intensive matters into a simple and effective message.

Additionally, J.P. utilizes his litigation experience to effectively represent and assist clients in the start-up, acquisition and divestiture of their businesses.

Before graduating from law school, J.P. clerked for the Honorable Patrick J. Hanna, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Louisiana. During law school, he interned at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Moreover, while in law school, J.P. was published in the Journal of Energy Law and Resources.

Apart from work, J.P. enjoys hunting, watching ULL and LSU sporting events, and attending local festivals with his family.

Practice Areas

Arbitration & Mediation
Banking & Finance Litigation
Banking and Finance
Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Creditors’ Rights
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Transactions
Construction
Corporate Entity Formation, Governance and General Advice
Environmental & Toxic Torts
Insurance
Oil, Gas & Energy Litigation
Oil, Gas and Energy Litigation and Arbitration
Oil, Gas and Energy Transactions
Real Estate

Experience

  • Obtained $7.1 million award for an exploration company, through two settlements and a unanimous jury verdict, following a 5-day trial in a parted production casing claim against a pipe vendor and two pipe inspection companies.
  • Counsel for plaintiff in insurance coverage dispute which was appealed to the Louisiana Supreme Court
  • Counsel for national commercial restoration company in connection with commercial litigation matters
  • Counsel for Louisiana agriculture, real estate, and trucking companies in connection with formation and development
  • Counsel for numerous oil and gas companies in commercial and business disputes

Education

Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center, J.D./D.C.L., Member, Journal of Energy Law and Resources
University of Louisiana at Lafayette, B.A., cum laude
Notre Dame Catholic High School of Acadia Parish, Honors

Recognition

  • Benchmark Litigation’s 40 & Under List, 2026
  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America® for Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Commercial Litigation, Energy Law, Oil and Gas Law (listed in publication since 2025)
  • Named to the 2025 Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation (LDX) List
  • Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division 2023 Top 40 Honoree
  • Selected by The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40, 2020 – 2024
  • Selected for inclusion as a Louisiana Super Lawyers – Rising Star, 2020 to Present
  • Recognized in Top Lawyers in Acadiana – 2021 – 2023
  • Named the Outstanding Young Lawyer, Lafayette Bar Association, 2022
  • Paul M. Hebert Scholar
  • Dean Scholar
  • CALI Award for Excellence
    • Legal Research and Writing
    • Estate Planning

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Affiliations

  • President, Lafayette Parish Young Lawyers Association Executive Committee
  • Member, Louisiana State Bar Association
  • Member, Lafayette Parish Bar Association
  • Member, Beaver Club of Lafayette (a non-profit civic club)

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