Nicole Duarte is a partner in the firm’s Business & Commercial Litigation Practice Group and practices from the firm's Houston office. She represents clients in the areas of oil and gas litigation, water law, environmental law, toxic torts, complex litigation, gaming law, and class actions, and also maintains an appellate practice. Ms. Duarte has represented clients in matters related to mineral lease disputes, oilfield remediation and restoration (upland and coastal), groundwater use and contamination, environmental permit appeals, gaming permits and litigation, and water use issues. 

Ms. Duarte received her juris doctor degree in 1992 from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Louisiana State University, graduating second in her class. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the Order of the Coif, and was elected to the Louisiana State University Hall of Fame. Ms. Duarte also served as Articles Editor of the Louisiana Law Review from 1991–1992, and has authored numerous publications, including “Subsurface Water Rights in Louisiana” in the 57th Louisiana Mineral Law Institute proceedings and a chapter of the forthcoming Louisiana Mineral Law Treatise.