Attorney 4 (Property Unit)

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) seeks an experienced attorney to serve as senior counsel supporting Property Litigation and Construction Units. The role handles expropriation, eminent domain, and complex transportation litigation across Louisiana.

The attorney will independently manage complex cases, advise DOTD leadership, and work with Real Estate, Engineering, Utility personnel, and outside counsel to advance infrastructure projects.

Qualifications

• Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law and three years of experience as a practicing attorney.

Responsibilities

• Serve as senior counsel and first-chair trial attorney in complex property, construction, public works, expropriation, and inverse condemnation litigation.
• Develop litigation strategy, analyze complex legal matters, and represent DOTD in state courts.
• Coordinate litigation with outside counsel and train attorneys on Property and Construction matters.
• Advise the Office of Real Estate on property acquisition, appraisals, title documents, and boundary disputes.
• Evaluate property interest matters involving utility relocations and advise on reimbursement agreements.
• Provide legal counsel to DOTD programs including Public Works, Intermodal Transportation, Aviation, and water resources.
• Coordinate with agencies, engineers, contractors, and stakeholders on complex legal and transportation matters.
• Assist with drafting proposed legislation and assess its impact on DOTD programs.

Job description

Attorney 4 – Property & Construction Litigation

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Legal Section is seeking an experienced Attorney to serve as senior counsel supporting the Property Litigation and Construction Units. This position handles complex legal matters involving the acquisition of property for transportation projects, expropriation and eminent domain, construction and public works litigation, utility relocations, and other legal issues affecting DOTD’s statewide transportation programs.

The selected candidate will independently manage complex litigation, serve as first-chair trial counsel, advise DOTD leadership and program offices on specialized legal matters, and work closely with the Office of Real Estate, Office of Engineering, Utility and Permit personnel, outside counsel, governmental entities, and other stakeholders. The position also provides legal counsel to DOTD programs involving public works, intermodal transportation, aviation, water resources, and related infrastructure matters.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced attorney interested in sophisticated litigation and public-sector legal work with a direct impact on the development and delivery of transportation infrastructure throughout Louisiana.

Please visit our DOTD Career Center for more information about our agency:
https://dotd.la.gov/about/office-of-management-and-finance/human-resources/career-center/

Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law plus three years of experience as a practicing attorney.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties

• Serve as senior counsel and first-chair trial attorney representing DOTD in complex property, construction, public works, expropriation, and inverse condemnation litigation.
• Develop litigation strategy, analyze complex legal matters, and represent DOTD in District and Appellate Courts throughout Louisiana.
• Coordinate litigation handled by outside counsel and provide guidance and training to attorneys assigned to Property and Construction matters.
• Advise the Office of Real Estate on property acquisition, appraisals, title documents, expropriation requirements, encroachments, evictions, and boundary disputes.
• Evaluate compensable property interest matters involving utility relocations and advise DOTD Utility and Permit personnel regarding reimbursement eligibility and related agreements.
• Provide legal counsel to DOTD programs involving Public Works, Intermodal Transportation, Aviation, water resources, flood control, ports, waterways, and other infrastructure-related programs.
• Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies, attorneys, engineers, contractors, consultants, appraisers, and other stakeholders on complex legal and transportation matters.
• Assist with drafting and reviewing proposed legislation and evaluating the potential impact of legislation on DOTD programs.

Position-Specific Details

Appointment Type: This position may be filled by probational appointment, promotion, or detail to special duty in accordance with applicable State Civil Service rules.

Compensation: The Special Entrance Rate (SER) for this position is $3,125.60 biweekly.

Additional compensation may be considered for applicants who possess extraordinary job-related qualifications or credentials in accordance with State Civil Service Rule 6.5(g) and DOTD policy. Any additional compensation is subject to approval, verification, and applicable pay limitations.

Contact Information

For further information about this vacancy, contact:

Melissa Willard
Administrative Program Specialist – Legal
225-242-4667
[e-mail]

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:

https://www.laworks.net/workforcedev/lrs/lrs_rehabilitation.asp

Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.