Current:Home > FinanceLouisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards will join law firm after leaving office-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards will join law firm after leaving office
View Date:2024-12-24 10:00:18
BATON ROUGE, La (AP) — Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Thursday that once he leaves office next week he will join a New Orleans-based law firm where he will focus on renewable energy litigation.
During Edwards’ past two terms as governor, which has spanned eight years, the Democrat has prioritized developing and expanding Louisiana’s renewable energy sources and reducing the state’s carbon dioxide emissions. Before entering the political world, Edwards, who was unable to run for governor again because of consecutive term limits, was a trial attorney who had opened a civil law practice in his hometown of Amite.
“It has been the greatest honor of my lifetime to serve as governor of the State of Louisiana,” Edwards said in a news release Thursday. “I look forward to rejoining the legal profession and continuing to serve the state by establishing Louisiana as a leader in green energy while maintaining our commercial competitiveness.”
Edwards will join Fishman Haygood LLP as special counsel when he leaves office on Jan. 8. He will work with the law firm’s business and litigation teams.
“We are thrilled to have the governor join our team,” John Werner, a partner of Fishman Haygood, said in a statement. “John Bel has been a proven leader throughout his life, including his recent efforts to grow the renewable energy sector in Louisiana. We are excited that he has chosen to join us in this next phase of his career.”
The law firm, which was founded in 1996, has been involved in negotiating complex land deals and corporate mergers as well as high-profile cases like the Allen Stanford Ponzi scheme and the BP Deepwater Horizon settlement, The Advocate reported.
Over the past two decades, Louisiana has had a front-row seat to the effects of climate change, with hurricanes making landfall more frequently, coastal areas being eaten away by erosion, subsidence and rising sea levels, and the Mississippi River reaching record-low water levels, causing barges with agricultural exports to get stuck. In addition, the state, which shares its southern border with the Gulf of Mexico, has tens of thousands of jobs tied to the oil and gas industry.
Recently, efforts to expand Louisiana’s renewable energy opportunities have come to the forefront. Last month, the state’s first-ever wind energy operating agreements in offshore waters were approved.
Edwards has long told reporters that after leaving the governor’s mansion he plans to move back to Tangipahoa Parish with his wife and go “back into private business.” While he has repeatedly said he has “no expectation or intention” to run for political office in the future, he hasn’t outright ruled it out.
Edwards’ successor, Republican Gov.-elect Jeff Landry, will be inaugurated Monday.
veryGood! (3493)
Related
- Lions find way to win, Bears in tough spot: Best (and worst) from NFL Week 10
- Bachelor Nation's Tia Booth Is Pregnant, Expecting Baby No. 2 With Taylor Mock
- Honoring Malcolm X: supporters see $20M as ‘down payment’ on struggle to celebrate Omaha native
- How Nevada colleges and universities are encouraging students to vote
- Bohannan requests a recount in Iowa’s close congressional race as GOP wins control of House
- Florida State, ACC complete court-ordered mediation as legal fight drags into football season
- Too early or not soon enough? Internet reacts to Starbucks dropping Pumpkin Spice Lattes Aug. 22
- Want an EV With 600 Miles of Range? It’s Coming
- Lala Kent Swears by This Virgo-Approved Accessory and Shares Why Stassi Schroeder Inspires Her Fall Style
- PHOTO COLLECTION: Election 2024 DNC Moments
Ranking
- Skai Jackson announces pregnancy with first child: 'My heart is so full!'
- Apache Group is Carrying a Petition to the Supreme Court to Stop a Mine on Land Sacred to the Tribe
- Man charged in 2017 double homicide found dead at Virginia jail
- Despite smaller crowds, activists at Democrats’ convention call Chicago anti-war protests a success
- Oregon's Dan Lanning, Indiana's Curt Cignetti pocket big bonuses after Week 11 wins
- Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz to serve one-game suspension for recruiting violation
- With their massive resources, corporations could be champions of racial equity but often waiver
- Isabella Strahan Reacts to Comment About Hair Growth Amid Cancer Journey
Recommendation
-
What do nails have to say about your health? Experts answer your FAQs.
-
‘It’s our time': As Harris accepts the nomination, many women say a female president is long overdue
-
Who's performed at the DNC? Lil Jon, Patti LaBelle, Stevie Wonder, more hit the stage
-
X's initial shareholder list unveiled: Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Jack Dorsey, Bill Ackman tied to platform
-
She was found dead while hitchhiking in 1974. An arrest has finally been made.
-
See what Detroit Lions star Aidan Hutchinson does when he spots a boy wearing his jersey
-
Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck are getting divorced. Why you can't look away.
-
Jenna Dewan Shares Candid Breastfeeding Photo With Baby Girl Rhiannon