Wade Webster

Wade Webster is known for his deep commitment to each client, and his experience working on the front lines of development projects including the formation, operation, and financing of real estate properties.  He has represented lenders and developers in acquiring, financing, and leasing all types of developments.

At Chaffe McCall, he enjoys a diverse practice with an emphasis on corporate law, oil and gas, real estate, financings, taxation, estate planning, and successions.

Wade’s background as a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) enables him to add another layer of skill for clients.  His prior work experience has included a wide range of business matters assisting clients during all phases of the business cycle. He has represented oil and gas clients in litigation matters and is well equipped to deal with various estate and business transactions.

Wade is the author of Expert Witness Fees in Federal Diversity Cases: 24 St. Mary’s Law Journal 463 (1993).  In 1982, he earned his law degree from Tulane University Law School. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

Wade is a licensed title insurance agent in Louisiana involved in issuing title insurance to owners and lenders.

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

• Shipyard Seizes Bunkers on Board Vessel on Which It Performed No Work, Int’l Law Office Shipping and Transport (November 30, 2016)
• Expert Witness Fees in Federal Diversity Cases, 24 St. Mary’s Law Journal 463 (1993)

HONORS AND AWARDS

• Named as a Top Lawyer by New Orleans Magazine, 2023

Transactions

• Represented The Greater LaFourche Port Commission in its $39 million purchase from Caillouet Land, LLC of land for expansion of Port Fourchon, then had the title insurance policy issued on behalf of Fidelity National Title Insurance Company, 2023
• Represented John W. Stone Oil Distributor, L.L.C. in credit facility from PNC Bank with $245 million Fleet Mortgage on 57 marine vessels and $215 million Multiple Indebtedness Mortgage on Mississippi River batture & dock facilities, then issued attendant loan title insurance policy from Fidelity National Title Insurance Company, 2022
• Handled a real estate refinancing on a $500 million mortgage from Capital One for John W. Stone Oil Distributor, L.L.C., 2019
• Represented Bluehenge Capital Secured Debt SBIC, LP on a $16 million Fleet Mortgage to Quality Lift Services, L.L.C. involving vessels servicing the oil patch in Gulf Coast waters, 2019
• Represented MMD Aggregates, LLC in the sale of sand and gravel mining operation to Arcosa Aggregates, LLC, 2019
• Represented Apex Oil company on refinancing with BNP Paribas on its fuel storage facilities on the Mississippi River, 2018
• Represented John W. Stone Oil Distributor, L.L.C. on a $10 million purchase from Freeport McMorRan Energy LLC of Mississippi River dock, terminal & batture at Port Sulphur, Louisiana, 2016
• Handled $332,500,000 revolving credit financing and mortgage from Rabobank for a sugar refinery client in 2015, and the issuance of title insurance
• Handled the $60 million sale of the Hotel InterContinental in New Orleans for the seller and the issuance of the title insurance as a licensed title agent in the state of Louisiana
• Handled the acquisition of a chemical plant on the Mississippi River by a foreign private company in a $350 million transaction
• Handled the $240 million fleet mortgage and vessel financing by Royal Bank of Scotland, Wells Fargo, and J.P. Morgan/Chase to GulfMark covering a total of 23 vessels supporting the oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico
• Handled a $42 million ship mortgage and vessel construction loan from Wells Fargo for a private company to construct a new fuel ship
• Represented Crimson Exploration Inc. on a $400,000,000 loan from Wells Fargo Bank with a mortgage against oil and gas properties in Louisiana
• Represented the seller on the $24 million sale of the Plaza Tower skyscraper in New Orleans

Litigation

• Obtained preliminary injunction after a bench trial in 2021 against ex-employees in trade secrets action. John W. Stone Oil Distributor, LLC v. Belle Chasse Marine, LLC, et al, No. 814-412, 24^th   Judicial District Court For The Parish Of Jefferson.
• Prevailed on behalf of John W. Stone Oil Distributor LLC on suit against it for breach of contract, tortious interference, and fraud arising from the lease of oil railcars. Sam Mannino Enterprises, LLC v. John W. Stone Oil Distributor, LLC, 2015 US Dist. LEXIS 115362 (W.D.Pa. 2015)
• Prevailed on behalf of Crimson Exploration, Inc. against mineral owners asserting claims for mismanagement of drilling operations. Hayes Fund v. Kerr McGee, 193 So. 3d 1110 (La. 2015)
• Obtained a summary judgment recovering damages, plus $80,000 in attorney’s fees and penalties, against Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company for its failure to timely pay a title claim on a $350,000 title insurance policy. Boyce V. Commonwealth Title, No. 2011-c-1443 (La. App, 4 Cir. 2011)
• Obtained a judgment on appeal successfully striking building restrictions in a shopping center that had prevented a client from opening a grocery store. Schwegmann Family Trust v. White III, LLC, 76 So.3d 1228 (La. App. 4 Circ. 2011)
• Successfully defended Bell South in Fair Labor Standards Act claim by telephone splicers for overtime wages in aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Thibault v. Bell South, 612 F.3d 843 (5th Cir. 2010)
• Prevailed in litigation for real estate developer against neighbors seeking to block condominium tower in New Orleans Warehouse District. Rubenstein v. City of New Orleans, 982 So.2d 964 (La. App. 4 Cir. 2008)
• Prevailed against Norfolk Southern R.R. for a tenant under an unfair trade practices suit. Racko Properties, Inc. v. Alabama Great Southern Railroad, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 32023 (E.D. La. 2008)
• Prevailed in oil and gas litigation under Joint Operating Agreement on behalf of the operator. Palace Exploration Co. v. Louisiana Exploration and Drilling Co., 812 So.2d 100 (La. App. 5 Cir. 2002)