Legal

The mission of the Legal Section is to provide legal services to DOTD in support of its overall objectives. The section is responsible for providing legal representation to DOTD and the secretary, conducting legal research, issuing legal opinions as requested by Department officers and employees, reviewing proposed chief engineer orders and advising DOTD personnel on legislation matters. The staff consists of attorney supervisors, staff attorneys and support staff including paralegals and administrative assistants.   

The section consists of three units that are listed below along with a description of their responsibilities:  

• General Law Unit: Initiates Louisiana Administrative Code rulemaking for DOTD programs;  handles collection for damages to DOTD roads and bridges and any other properties; prepares Cooperative Endeavor Agreements, Memorandums of Understanding and other agreements as needed throughout the Department;  reviews legal matters as requested and writes opinions as necessary; provides legal support for public works, levee boards and other government agencies;  reviews and analyzes proposed legislation which may impact the Department; and handles Public Records Requests which are received by DOTD on a daily basis, providing timely responses. 

• Construction (Contracts & Public Works) Unit: General representation of DOTD in litigation involving bidding and construction contracts; collection of overpayments, liquidated damages and withholdings from contractors; legal review of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise compliance matters; legal services and general litigation involving design defects and hazardous waste contamination related to the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges; and general litigation and administrative legal services to DOTD, boards, commissions and political subdivisions relative to airports, drainage and flood control.

• Property Unit:  Handles expropriation of properties needed for highway purposes; inverse condemnation; appropriation; possessory, petitory and revocatory actions involving immovable property; encroachments; and evictions. Conducts research on property related matters and issues as needed by the Department.