Attorney General Counsel 1

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) is a dynamic and essential economic engine for the region and the nation. Strategically located on the Mississippi River, Port NOLA administers and facilitates a diverse network of cargo-related activities, including containerized cargo operations, breakbulk and bulk cargo operations, commercial cruise industry (inland and ocean-going), and management of an extensive portfolio of industrial real estate. Port NOLA is a multimodal transportation hub, continually investing in infrastructure and technology to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and economic growth.

SUMMARY

Working under the general direction of the Chief Legal Officer, the General Counsel serves as legal advisor for the Port NOLA. This position involves an extensive transactional and litigation practice, requiring specialized knowledge in federal maritime law, Louisiana property law, federal and state labor laws, and general corporate and governmental law, among other disciplines. Through Port NOLA’s legislative and operational affiliation with the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB), a Class-III short-line railroad, the General Counsel may also be asked to support and advise on issues that involve federal railroad law and other related matters.

This leadership role requires legal expertise, management experience, strategic thinking, and political acumen. The legal department collaborates with real estate, engineering, commercial, planning, and other departments on transactional matters including leases, procurement, environmental permits, governmental agreements, ordinances, and board items, as well as its role in the management of matters in active or potential litigation. This leader interfaces with senior management, coordinates legal strategies across Port NOLA, serves as key contact for board operations, and works collaboratively with the NOPB General Counsel.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides commercially oriented legal advice to general legal inquiries from internal departments and comprehensive litigation summaries for presentation to senior-level management, as requested by the Chief Legal Officer.

• In conjunction with the Chief Legal Officer, renders final legal opinion on the legality and propriety of all rules, regulations, ordinances, policies, and legal positions of the Board.

• Negotiates, drafts and reviews contracts, real estate documents, intergovernmental agreements and other documents applicable to Port NOLA operations.

• Conducts necessary and appropriate discovery, hearings, trials, depositions, oral arguments, mediations, arbitrations and similar proceedings in formal and informal adversarial proceedings before numerous state and federal jurisdictions.

• Researches the law applicable to cases or matters, drafts legal documents, pleadings, motions, briefs and opinions as required. If requested, conducts settlement negotiations.

• Advises, communicates and confers with in-house Claims Representative rendering clear, unambiguous legal opinions and advice.

• Timely and appropriately responds to inquiries from the general public about public information and Port NOLA ordinances and procedures.

• Assists the Chief Legal Officer and Board staff in drafting, reviewing and analyzing new legislation applicable to Port NOLA operations.

• Responsible for managing a team that handles records management, record requests, and the implementation of records retention and disposal programs for Port NOLA.

• Leads the development and implementation of Port NOLA records management processes to address issues related to electronic records and digital applications.

• Participates in departmental capital planning processes for major information systems to ensure appropriate legal and compliance functionality is included in system design.

• Reviews staff reports and recommendations, applying knowledge of legal compliance requirements, administrative processes, cost control, and organizational objectives.

• Collaborates with executives and staff to establish legal compliance policies, including document retention and disposal schedules.

• Oversees staff responsible for implementing legal compliance policies and document management programs.

• Provides advice and direction to Port NOLA staff members involved in board meeting preparations, including agenda and meeting item development.

• Provides key analytical, planning, writing and support functions to Port NOLA staff for monthly board meetings.

• Participates in monthly board meetings, making presentations as necessary.

• Acts as Notary Public for the Port NOLA board and staff.

• Plans, organizes, and directs all daily work activities of the legal services for Port NOLA.

• Supervises legal staff including Deputy General Counsel, Attorney Supervisor, Attorneys, and Paralegal in their handling of diverse transactional and litigation matters.

• Monitors and collaborates with outside counsel in the management of complex commercial transactions and matters in current or potential litigation.

• Other duties as directed.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

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

• Must possess and maintain an active Notarial Commission.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE

• Management experience leading agency departments and/or private sector departments/groups

• Knowledge of governmental operations (open meetings laws, public records requests, etc.)

• Experience in claims litigation management with in-house and external attorneys

• Expertise in Louisiana labor law, Louisiana State Civil Service Rules & Regulations

• Understanding of Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) regulations