The law firm of Strain, Dennis & Bates, L.L.P., was founded in Baton Rouge in 1980 as William S. Strain and Associates by William S. Strain, former managing partner of the New Orleans firm of Gordon, Arata & McCollam. The firm initially practiced mineral law and property law, representing independent oil companies and landowners. In the years that followed, the firm expanded geographically and diversified its practice. In 1984 the firm merged with the firm of Jumonville & Dennis, in Lafayette, Louisiana, and opened its Lafayette office with Howell A. Dennis, Jr., as the partner in residence in that city. The firm is presently composed of nine partners and four of-counsel attorneys.  Today the firm represents such major corporations as Exxon-Mobil Production Company, Fairfield Industries, Inc., Phillips Petroleum Corporation, Albemarle Corporation, Enserch Exploration, Inc., CMS NOMECO Oil & Gas Company and Samson Resources, as well as many small independent oil companies. The firm has expanded into numerous other areas of practice, including commercial real estate, residential real estate, property ownership and boundary disputes, banking law (representing banks in both Baton Rouge and Lafayette), creditor/debtor relations, insurance law, construction law, general commercial law, general litigation, arbitration, succession, estate planning, environmental law, and international law.

   The firm has represented numerous governmental agencies, both state and federal. It has worked for the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources in several capacities, acting as attorney for the Commissioner of Conservation and doing title work for Costal Restoration (which work was done in conjunction with the Corps of Engineers), and has drafted regulations used by Costal Restoration in the appraisal of oyster leases for expropriation purposes.

    In addition to an active transactional practice, the firm has an extensive background and experience as lead counsel in complex litigation. It has litigated numerous property disputes. On the defense side of the docket, the firm actively represents attorneys, geologists and insurers in malpractice claims, admiralty and maritime claims, and insurers concerning coverage issues. The firm has litigated multiple claims involving stuck pipe, down-hole engineering and blowout claims, both surface and underground. It has litigated tax issues for the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Litigation experience has included appearances and trials in both state and federal courts and at all appellate levels.