Chief Legal Counsel

CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER- PORT AUTHORITY  

POSITION CATEGORY: UNCLASSIFIED

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB: 

This unclassified position is responsible for all legal matters regarding the day-to-day legal services for the Louisiana Gateway Port (LGP) and to provide legal advice to the Port, Port Staff, and Port Board regarding the administrative management work in the operation, maintenance, and development of the Port and Port projects. This position coordinates the work of specialized external counsel and participates in the execution of the master plan. The Chief Legal Officer shall work cooperatively under the high-level direction of the Executive Port Director and with other Port staff.  

CANDIDATE PROFILE:  

The Chief Legal Officer (CLO) is a business-minded senior leader that must work seamlessly across corporate, real estate, finance, development, employment, and general legal issues.  

As CLO, you will develop legal and compliance guidance and strategies that mitigate the port’s legal risks, and help the port thrive in an ever-changing, challenging environment. The CLO will be a crucial partner to the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer. The CLO will advise the Executive Port Director and the members of the C-suite and leadership team while mitigating port risk. The ideal candidate is an independent self-starter with experience working at a private, not-for-profit, or government agency as legal counsel providing general oversight of legal projects and coordinating external counsel.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Legal Advisory and Compliance: 

• Provide legal counsel on port policies, governance matters, and regulatory compliance. 
• Ensure compliance with marine and port regulations, advising on risk  

mitigation strategies. 

• Coordinate with external legal counsel on litigation and legal proceedings involving the port. 
• Conduct legal research to support decision-making and policy development. 
• Consult and give legal advice to the Executive Director and other staff members, including written advice from external counsel when deemed necessary. 
• Manage responses to public records requests within the legal guidelines of the State of Louisiana. 
• Court appearances as needed including hearings, trials and appeals. 
• Research and writing legal opinions and/or memoranda. 

Port Governance: 

• Provide legal services to the Port as deemed necessary by the Executive Director at Port meetings, as the sole governing authority of the Port. 
• Manage public meetings in compliance with open meeting laws, Port Commission requirements, port governance policies, and Plaquemines Parish Council requirements. 
• Manage Executive Sessions of the Port and Commission in accordance with State of Louisiana open meeting laws  

Contracts, Leases and Port Agreements:  

• Transactional issues, including acquisitions, leases, development of the Port, and various other contractual issues, addressing zoning and permitting issues.  
• Review, draft, and negotiate contracts, MOU’s, CEAs, and agreements in collaboration with relevant departments. 
• Oversee contract lifecycle management, ensuring clarity, consistency, and adherence to port policies.  
• Provide guidance on contract execution, performance monitoring, and dispute resolution.  
• Collaborate with procurement and finance teams to align contract management processes with port needs. 

Human Resources, Civil Service and Employment Relations: 

• Provide legal guidance on employment contracts, workplace policies, and disciplinary matters.  
• Ensure HR policies comply with labor laws and best practices.  
• Coordinate with Civil Service commission on pending legal matters. 
• Support conflict resolution processes, including mediation and dispute handling in employment-related cases. 

General: 

• Negotiating contracts and performing legal counsel efforts in all other things necessary to protect the interests of the Port. 
• Reviewing and evaluating policies having legal input from department members and other port employees giving guidance when needed. 
• Drafting and recommending approval of Port related legislation, policies; drafting and assisting in its implementation. 
• Conducting meetings to develop goals for delivering port's mission.  
• Meeting with federal, state, and local officials, lessees, professionals, interest groups, board members and Port tenants and users on matters relating to port enterprise goals. 
• Developing controls and monitoring expenditures for legal settlements and any unplanned expenditures with explanation and documentation. 
• May present matters to the Board representing the Executive Director of the Port.  
• Interpreting and verifying compliance with contracts and agreements between the port, its vendors or users and lessees of terminal facilities, and. 
• Crafting contracts and agreements to ensure the Port’s interest is considered.  
• Performs various administrative tasks as required, including preparing reports and correspondence, entering, and retrieving computer data, copying, and filing documents, reviewing professional journals, answering, and returning telephone calls, attending, and conducting meetings, and all other duties as assigned. 

Representation and Advocacy:  

• Representing the Port on local, state, and national committees and associations, advocating for operational interests and leveraging legal expertise to influence policy decisions and shape industry standards.  
• Foster positive relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, regulatory bodies, industry partners, and the public, to promote the Port's reputation and support its strategic objectives.  
• Initiating, monitoring, or performing tasks associated with Department goals and objectives of the Port's Master Plan  
• Coordinate with other Port staff and departments, as required.  

QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Juris Doctorate, valid license to practice law in Louisiana held for at least ten (10) years, plus practicing attorney for six (6) years. 
• At least five (5) years’ experience as in-house counsel for a government or quasi-government entity. 
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) during employment.   

TECHNICAL AND GENERAL SKILLS  

• Strong written and verbal communication skills  
• Proficiency in MS Office, including Word and Excel, Outlook, and other related applications.  
• Proficiency in legal research software. 
• Strong focus on customer service  

NON-TECHNICAL SKILLS  

• Facilitates innovative and creative problem solving.  
• Willingly accepts and provides meaningful feedback; coachable.  
• Fosters team collaboration  
• Possess a growth mindset  
• Strong critical thinking skills  

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL JOB FUNCTIONS  

• Ability to perform essential job functions, including but not limited to frequent standing, walking, sitting, speaking, or hearing, typing and occasional reaching, stooping, kneeling, lifting, and/or moving up to 20 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.   
• Must be able to walk and stand on level and/or inclined, climb stairs, ramps, ladders, and work stands. Must be able to crouch, crawl, grasp/handle objects, use finger dexterity, bend elbow/knee and reach above/below shoulders.  
• Ability to work in a general office environment, and on a work site with exposure to adverse weather conditions, fumes and /or air particulates, working in high precarious places, risk of electrical shock and moving mechanical parts, moderate noise levels and working at heights, ability to wear personnel protective equipment, including hard hat, steel toed footwear, eye and hearing protection when performing work functions.  
• Communicating verbally, in writing and over devices such as phones and mobile phones  
• Ability to operate light-weight highway vehicles and standard office equipment and to work the requisite hours to fulfill position objectives, including evenings and/or weekends, as needed.