Picture of Kyle P. Polozola

Kyle P. Polozola

Partner

In his third decade of practice, Kyle Polozola brings true depth and breadth of legal know-how and comprehensive problem-solving abilities to Louisiana’s energy industry. In addition to his litigation and appellate acumen, Kyle provides transactional advice that ranges from property tax matters to regulatory counsel and administrative law matters. He is valued by clients and colleagues alike for legal solutions that are clear, easily understood, highly cost-effective, and parallel to each client’s commercial objectives.

Kyle represents businesses involved in complex oil and gas and commercial litigation, environmental litigation, energy regulatory matters, and oil and gas transactional initiatives, such as mineral title examination and due diligence, including carbon capture, utilization, and storage for alternative energy sources. He guides energy companies through the acquisition and sale of oil and gas properties, as well as assists with the full range of corporate and business advisory services. 

Kyle represents local, state, national, and international clients in Louisiana and Texas involved in ad valorem property tax matters. He is active in serving as trial counsel for energy and corporate taxpayers before the Louisiana Tax Commission and as appellate counsel before the Board of Tax Appeals and courts for judicial review. This unique experience originated from a case several years ago where Kyle served as lead counsel before the Louisiana Supreme Court that resulted in a unanimous decision and major verdict for his taxpayer client – a seminal result across the state that has led to many more significant property tax-related appeals.

In addition, Kyle actively participates in helping to define Louisiana’s evolving energy law and regulation. He is an active member of the Louisiana Mineral Law Institute Advisory Council and works with myriad energy organizations to ensure energy regulation makes sense for companies doing business across the Gulf Coast and beyond. Notably, he participated in the Louisiana Risk Charge Commission, a study commission formed by the Louisiana Legislature.

In March 2024, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry appointed Kyle to serve as a member of the State Board of Commerce and Industry, which overseas Louisiana’s economic development statutory incentive programs designed to assist in attracting business development in the state. The Board advises Louisiana Economic Development on matters such as applications for tax incentive programs, including Enterprise Zone, Industrial Tax Exemption (ITEP), Quality Jobs, and Restoration Tax Abatement programs.

Highly effective yet totally easy-going, Kyle is an innately collaborative counselor who is valued for his natural ability to establish immediate rapport with clients and matter constituents alike. He is at his best when faced with assembling and leading the right team of lawyers to provide highly specialized legal services to energy industry constituents.

Representative Experience
  • Lead trial and appellate counsel for multiple oil and gas companies to contest ad valorem (property) tax assessments, including trials before the Louisiana Tax Commission and subsequent appeals for judicial review
  • Representation of oil and gas companies in all phases of exploration and production, including issuing original/drilling title opinions, supplemental title opinions, division order title opinions, leasehold title opinions, surface title opinions, and acquisition title opinions
  • Representation of oil and gas companies across Louisiana regarding the onshore drilling environment, including unitization, permitting, and regulatory areas
  • Representation of oil and gas producers regarding operational issues, including leasing, surface use, produced water disposal, hydraulic fracturing, carbon capture, use and storage, payment of proceeds, and disputes with royalty owners and working interest partners
  • Representation of a major oil and gas company in the seminal energy and environmental contamination case, including an appeal to Supreme Court of Louisiana
  • Lead due diligence counsel for an oil and gas company in the acquisition of numerous oil and gas leases and wells, including HBP and those involving federal lands
  • Lead trial counsel in Louisiana and before the federal courts in a case of first impression on a claim of intentional interference with a contract against a corporate entity defendant
  • Lead trial counsel for a major oilfield service company on a claim of alleged environmental damage to a neighboring property and water aquifer by migration of contaminants
  • Represented a major oil company and two independent producers against claims of environmental contamination, trespass, damage to aquifer, breach of contract, and punitive damages from onshore oil and gas operations
  • Representation of a major energy company against a claim by a landowner for damages due to alleged coastal subsidence resulting from oil and gas operations in marshlands
Education

  • Loyola University Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1996
    • Managing Editor, Loyola Law Review
    • Member, Moot Court staff
  • Louisiana State University, B.S., 1992

Admissions
  • Louisiana
  • Texas
  • United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana
  • United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • Graduate, Leadership Lafayette Class XV, 2001
Memberships
  • Member, Louisiana State Bar Association
  • Member, State Bar of Texas
  • Member, Lafayette Bar Association
  • Member, Louisiana Oil and Gas Association
  • Member, The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law
  • Past-President, Legatus©, Lafayette-Acadiana Chapter
  • Past President, Lafayette Young Lawyers Association
  • Past President, John M. Duhe American Inn of Court
Articles, Publications and Presentations
Recognition
  • AV Preeminent-rated (including Judicial Edition), Martindale-Hubbell
  • "Best Lawyer," The Best Lawyers in America, 2016-2023
  • "Top Lawyer," Acadiana Profile, 2023-2024
Community Service
  • Former Hearing Committee Member (two terms), Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board
  • Capital Campaign Board, Our Lady of Wisdom Church and Catholic Student Center
Super Lawyers
Kyle P. Polozola
Rated by Super Lawyers


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