John Philip
John Philip

John Philip "J.P." Graf

Associate

jgraf@gamb.com337.237.0132

400 E. Kaliste Saloom Road
Suite 4200
Lafayette, LA 70508

337.237.0132 | jgraf@gamb.com

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admissions

  • Louisiana

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
   

judical clerkships

Honorable Patrick J. Hanna, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Louisiana

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.

  • 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

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

  • Selected by The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40, 2020 – 2023
  • 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

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.

   

Honorable Patrick J. Hanna, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Louisiana

  • Arbitration and Mediation
  • Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Creditors' Rights
  • Business Transactions and Entity Formation and Governance
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Construction
  • Insurance
  • Oil, Gas and Energy Litigation and Arbitration
  • Oil, Gas and Energy Transactions
  • Oilfield Service Company Transactions and Litigation
  • Real Estate and Commercial Leasing
  • Banking
  • Construction
  • Energy and Natural Resources
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