Governmental Law

From licensing to participation in public forums, as well as cases of expropriation and eminent domain, the attorneys at the Smith Law Firm can guide you through the legal process, providing you with the counsel you need so that your personal or business concerns are thoroughly protected.

Our Louisiana attorneys can guide you through:

• Public Records Disclosure and Open Meeting Compliance:
  The Open Meetings Law is meant to ensure that decisions by the government are made in an open forum. Under the law, “No person shall be denied the right to observe the deliberations of public bodies and examine public documents, except in cases established by law.” The public records law guarantees that certain governmental records must be promptly made available for public inspection.
• Licensure Matters for Business Owners and Professionals:
  Business owners must apply for official licensure including licenses or permits, and may have disputes with governmental agencies as to the suspension or revocation of the licenses or permits.
  

• Expropriation and Eminent Domain:
  Expropriation is used in the taking of private property for public use under the right of eminent domain.

What is Governmental/Administrative Law?

Administrative law encompasses the laws and legal principles governing the administration and regulation of both state, local, and federal government agencies. Agencies are delegated power by Congress or the state legislature to act as the entities responsible for carrying out certain duties of the executive branch. Agencies are created via the mandates of statutes. Those agencies then oftentimes create their own rules or procedures. Businesses and persons then have the opportunity to interpret and abide by those new rules while agencies are granted the authority to enforce those new rules.

At the Smith Law Firm, we provide representation and litigation services in state and federal courts. We will provide counsel to government entities on issues like ethics, civil service, public procurement policies, and public records requests.

How the Smith Law Firm Can Help

Litigation against the government and administrative agencies is much different from litigation against private individuals or businesses.

Because of the complexity of these situations, our team will combine our knowledge of all aspects of the law, including land use, and environmental laws, to come to the best possible resolution.

Call the Smith Law Firm Today for Your Governmental Law Needs

With over 50 years of experience fighting for the rights of citizens of Louisiana, and the surrounding state, attorney J. Arthur Smith, III has successfully handled numerous cases involving state, local, and federal governments.

If you have a governmental or administrative law concern or have other litigation needs, you can trust the competence and passion of the Smith Law Firm. Contact us today for a consultation by giving us a call at (225) 383-7716. We look forward to helping you.