Experienced Leadership

Marjorie McKeithen is a Senior Advisor at the Tulane Energy Law & Policy Center, specializing in U.S. and global LNG project development and markets. With over 25 years of experience as an energy project lawyer and regulatory advisor, she has extensive expertise in large-scale Louisiana and cross-border energy projects. McKeithen is a partner at Jones Walker LLP in New Orleans, where she co-chairs the Energy, Environmental & Natural Resources Industry Team.

After serving as Secretary of the Louisiana Mineral and Energy Board and Assistant Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources—where she managed mineral leases and energy agreements—McKeithen joined Jones Walker. As Secretary of the Louisiana Mineral and Energy Board, McKeithen led a comprehensive revision of Louisiana's statutory scheme relating to agreements for underground storage.

McKeithen regularly acts as project counsel on large infrastructure developments, including LNG and liquefaction facilities, solution-mining facilities, hydrogen and ammonia facilities (both blue and green hydrogen facilities), carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration, storage and enhanced recovery projects, wind energy facilities, chemical plants, petrochemical plants and refineries, pipelines, hydrocarbon storage facilities (salt dome and reservoir storage), and commercial saltwater disposal facilities.

McKeithen understands and helps clients navigate the challenges of being a first mover in a space. She served as counsel for both the first CO2 sequestration agreements with the State of Louisiana and the first offshore wind energy agreement in state waters in the Gulf of Mexico. She also obtained for her client the first certificate of public convenience and necessity from the State of Louisiana for a CO2 pipeline to transport CO2 to a storage facility.

McKeithen knows that effective navigation of regulatory and land use issues can greatly improve project success and works diligently to guide clients’ projects efficiently through the regulatory process. She routinely works on permitting and regulatory matters regarding US Army Corps of Engineers Permits, Louisiana Coastal Use Permits, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources/Office of Conservation Permits (including all Classes of Underground Injection Control Permits and Pipeline Permits), Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Water Withdrawal Agreements, Louisiana Department of Environment Quality Air and Discharge Permits, and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Permits.

McKeithen has extensive experience in the construction and engineering arena with respect to contractor and engineering licensing, having assisted many clients in acquiring contractor and engineering licenses throughout the United States when numerous licenses are needed in short periods of time in connection with transactions or projects.

After clerking with the Honorable Frank J. Polozola in the US District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, McKeithen was in the private practice of law from 1992 to 2006, during which time she concentrated on civil litigation, including environmental and toxic tort litigation. Previously, she served as campaign manager to her father, W. Fox McKeithen, during his initial campaign for the office of Louisiana Secretary of State.

McKeithen holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana State University in Petroleum Land Management and a JD degree from LSU’s Paul M. Hebert School of Law.