James Lloyd Maughan
Zachary
Summary
Dedicated legal professional, seeking an opportunity to provide strategic, solution-oriented legal guidance that empowers organizational leadership and operational teams to confidently navigate risk, manage compliance, and achieve business objectives. Focused on delivering clear, proactive legal support across departments by effectively prioritizing legal matters in contracts, corporate governance, insurance, and employment law. With a collaborative approach, I seek to align legal functions with the company's broader goals while ensuring full regulatory compliance, engaging with stakeholders transparently, and coordinating efficiently with outside counsel when specialized expertise is necessary.
Highly skilled legal professional with extensive experience in litigation, contract negotiation, and legal research. Known for strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results, adapting seamlessly to changing needs and priorities. Expertise in legal analysis, case strategy, and client advocacy, combined with excellent communication and problem-solving abilities. Reliable and results-driven, with proven track record of success in high-pressure environments.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Attorney Supervisor- Full-Time
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
02.2024 - 04.2025
- Real Estate Section supervisor for attorneys, paralegals, and administrative assistants responsible for expropriation/condemnation of property required for highway rights-of way.
- Trial counsel for claims to recover more than $50,000.00 in damages to DOTD property.
- Lead staff counsel with primary responsibility for defending DOTD in claims outside the scope of coverage provided by the Office of the Louisiana Attorney General.
- Reviews and tracks proposed legislation, consults with subject matter experts to evaluate the potential effect on the Department, and provides summaries for review by the Executive Counsel and the Secretary of the Department.
- Responsible for review and revision of Administrative Rules as assigned by Executive Counsel to achieve clarity, and consistency with identification of statutory authority for rule promulgation.
- Reviews and monitors contracts, and invoices for litigation support service providers.
- Responsible for the review revision and preparation of intergovernmental and interagency Cooperative Endeavor Agreements, Memorandums of Understanding and other contractual agreements.
- Recommends and drafts new legislation for operation of Real Estate Unit, Department, Legislative Committees, and related Boards and Commissions.
- Assists attorneys with research, trial preparation and hearings.
- Supervisor: Andrew Barry (225)-242-4672
Attorney 4-Full Time
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
06.2022 - 02.2024
- Managed and oversaw the reporting processing and collecting of monetary damages for approximately one thousand claims arising out of the damage or destruction of property under the control of the Department.
- Prepared and prosecuted all contested damage claims in trial, and appellate proceedings.
- Reviewed and tracked proposed legislation, consulted with subject matter experts to evaluate the potential effect on the Department, and provided summaries for Deputy General Counsel.
- Researched and participated in drafting legislation, policy, rules, and regulations related to damage claims and collections under agency operations.
- Reviewed, evaluated, and summarized legislative proposals, for agency consideration, and potential impact on its policies, procedures, and operations.
- Supervised paralegals responsible for processing damage claims.
- Researched statutes, ordinances, resolutions and other laws and provided summaries for the Department’s General Counsel on legal and policy conclusions.
- Monitored and analyzed legislative activity for bills that to evaluate the potential for adverse effect on the operations of the Department’s General Law Unit.
- Supervisor: Greg Hardy (225)-242-4672
Law Clerk-Full-Time
19th Judicial District Court
08.2019 - 12.2021
- Principal legal assistant for Judge Janice Clark that was responsible for assisting her by performing research, preparing documents, and managing case files.
- Reviewed and summarized pleadings for matters before the Court to identify issues of fact and law to aid in resolution of exceptions, motions, summary judgments and other hearings.
- Researched a broad range of issues arising under all areas of law and provided written recommendations as assigned to aid the Court in rendering judgment.
- Conducted settlement and status conferences assigned to help resolve claims, and discovery disputes.
- Summarized medical records, expert reports, and deposition testimony for the court.
- Prepared briefs, opinions. Jury charges, verdict forms, judgments, and orders to memorialize court rulings.
- Managed the court’s docket to ensure hearings and related matters were expeditiously addressed.
- Supervisor: Honorable Janice Clark
Attorney-Full Time
The Maughan Lawfirm, LLC
06.1996 - 06.2019
- Civil Litigation Attorney responsible for representing individuals and small businesses in litigation before all State and Federal courts in the State of Louisiana.
- Developed, implemented, and managed comprehensive discovery plans as required to gather and present evidence required to establish clients’ claim under deadlines established in scheduling orders.
- Conducted extensive settlement negotiations, participated in arbitration proceedings, and mediation to resolve matters when evaluation established a trial would not be beneficial.
- Retained collaborated and managed expert witnesses to assist in establishing the client’s burden of proof.
- Prepared pleading, motions, discovery, briefs, and other filing for trial and appellate proceedings.
- Evaluated, identified, retained, and managed expert witnesses.
- Conducted research necessary to address legal issues during proceedings.
Education
Juris Doctor Degree -
Loyola University College of Law New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana01.1996
Bachelor's Degree - History
Louisiana State University Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, Louisiana01.1993
Skills
- Case management
- Trial experience
- Oral debate
- Legal research and writing
Timeline
Attorney Supervisor- Full-Time
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
02.2024 - 04.2025
Attorney 4-Full Time
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
06.2022 - 02.2024
Law Clerk-Full-Time
19th Judicial District Court
08.2019 - 12.2021
Attorney-Full Time
The Maughan Lawfirm, LLC
06.1996 - 06.2019
Bachelor's Degree - History
Louisiana State University Baton Rouge
Juris Doctor Degree -
Loyola University College of Law New Orleans
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