Attorney 1-3 (Property Unit)

LRS Architects, Inc; Baton Rouge (LA); Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Legal Section seeks an Attorney to provide legal counsel and support to the Property Litigation and Construction Law Units. Responsibilities include advising on property acquisition, expropriation matters, and construction contracts, as well as litigation and bid protests.

Licensed to practice law in Louisiana is required. This role offers opportunities to develop specialized public-sector law expertise while serving

Qualifications

• Must be licensed to practice law in Louisiana.
• Experience in expropriation matters and property litigation is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides consultation and representation for the DOTD on all matters assigned to the Legal Section.
• Oversees cases involving expropriation law.
• Assists with litigation tactics and strategy using Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 38 and Title 48.
• Advises DOTD Real Estate Section on property acquisitions.
• Provides legal advice, contract drafting/review, legislation and regulations.
• Consults with department heads and other officials to modernize laws and procedures.

Education

Juris Doctor / Louisiana law license

Job description

Attorney 1 – Property Unit

About This Job

Section 47 - Legal

47/227060/Att1/10.07.2026-SC

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Legal Section is seeking an Attorney to provide legal counsel and support to the Department’s Property Litigation and Construction Law Units. The DOTD Legal Section is comprised of three units: the Property Litigation Unit, the Construction Law Unit, and the General Law Unit. This position provides legal assistance on matters involving property acquisition and expropriation, public bidding and construction contracts, and other legal issues affecting DOTD’s statewide transportation programs. The selected candidate will provide legal research, advice, consultation, and representation on matters assigned to the Legal Section. Responsibilities include assisting with expropriation matters, advising the DOTD Real Estate Section regarding property acquisition, and providing legal assistance related to litigation, competitive bids, bid protests, construction and highway contract claims, project specifications, and Local Public Agency (LPA) projects. The position also provides legal counsel to DOTD officials and engineers regarding contracts, legislation, administrative regulations, and other legal matters as directed by the General Counsel. This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney interested in developing specialized legal experience in property, expropriation, construction, and public‑sector law while supporting the development and delivery of transportation infrastructure throughout Louisiana. Applicants must be licensed to practice law in Louisiana.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law.

Job Duties:

• Provides consultation and representation for the DOTD on all matters which are assigned to the Legal Section. The incumbent is responsible for the oversight of cases for the Department involving expropriation law.
• Provides legal assistance regarding litigation, litigation tactics and strategy, with knowledge and skill in applying Louisiana Revised Statutes, particularly Title 38 and Title 48, pertaining to this area of law.
• Provides professional legal work in advising the DOTD Real Estate Section in connection with its acquisition of property for DOTD.
• Designated recipient of competitive bid, bid protest, construction and highway contract claim, project specifications, and LPA project Opinion Requests and is responsible for evaluating information submitted by contractors as needed to assist the Office of Engineering in making a determination.
• Provides legal advice and counsel to department officials and engineers as required and directed by the General counsel; includes legal research, opinions, contract drafting and review, legislation and administrative regulations.
• Provides consultation and representation for the department on matters referred to the General Counsel. Consults with section heads of the department and other section officials and also consults with the representatives of other departments and officials of parish and municipal governments and public organizations for the purpose of giving and obtaining assistance, information, cooperation, understanding and the modernization of laws and procedures as they apply to the department.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: Probational, Promotional, or Job Appointment or Detail to Special Duty

Career Progression: This position may be filled as an Attorney 1, 2 or 3. The level at which the vacancy is filled will be determined by the qualifications of the candidate selected.

Compensation:

• Special Entrance Rate (SER) Attorney 1 - $2,426.40/biweekly Attorney 2 - $2,596.00/biweekly Attorney 3 - $2,920.80/biweekly
• Progressive Premium Pay for hours actually worked 0 months to less than 2 years - $1.00/hour 2 years to less than 4 years - $1.50/hour 4 years or greater - $2.00/hour

Contact Information:

For further information about this vacancy, contact:

Melissa Willard

Administrative Program Specialist – Legal

225-242-4667

[e-mail]

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is an equal employment opportunity employer and serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities. DOTD does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, disability, age, or pregnancy, and prohibits harassment of any type.

Information on the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available: Louisiana Rehabilitation Services - Vocational Rehabilitation - Louisiana Works

Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.

As a State Employee, You Will Earn Competitive Pay, Choose From a Variety Of Benefits, And Have Access To a Great Professional Development Program:

Insurance Coverage More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/

Parental Leave – Up to six weeks paid parental leave More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx

Holidays and Leave – State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
• Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor

State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.

Retirement – State Of Louisiana Employees Are Eligible To Participate In Various Retirement Systems (based On The Type Of Appointment And Agency For Which An Employee Works). These Retirement Systems Provide Retirement Allowances And Other Benefits For State Officers And Employees And Their Beneficiaries. State Retirement Systems May Include (but Are Not Limited To):

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
• Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others