James R. Nieset is a graduate of Tulane University (Physics 1964). He graduated from Tulane Law School in 1967, where he was a member of the Board of Student Editors of The Tulane Law Review and was elected to Order of the Coif. After service in the United States Air Force in the Judge Advocate General Corps, he practiced as a member and partner in the law firm of Plauche’ Smith & Nieset in Lake Charles, Louisiana. In 2013 he became Of Counsel with the firm and in 2016 he and his wife moved to New Orleans. His practice focused on trial and appellate work in products liability, professional liability, construction, environmental and oilfield legacy matters. In addition to his practice in the state courts of Louisiana, he has been admitted to the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana and the Eastern District of Texas, the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

He has been active in alumni matters at Tulane University and at Tulane Law School, where he serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board. As a Corresponding Advisor to the Institute, he advises students on research and writing assignments, mentors, does individual research, and provides summaries of information pertinent to the work of the Institute and of the Tulane Center for Environmental Law.