Welcome to the City Attorney's Office

Penya M. Moses-Fields, City Attorney  pmfields@cityofno.com  (504) 658-9800

The following information is provided in order to acquaint you with the office of the City Attorney.

The City Attorney is responsible for directing and supervising the legal affairs of the City of New Orleans. The City Charter defines the duties of the City Attorney as follows:

• To provide legal advice to the Mayor, the Council, and other city offices, departments and boards;
• To take charge of all legal matters in which the City has an interest or is a party;
• To prepare proposed ordinances upon request of the Mayor or City Councilmembers; and
• To review all City contracts, documents and instruments creating any legal obligation affecting the City.

The City Attorney’s Office has a dedicated team of public servants committed to providing aggressive and competent legal representation on behalf of the City of New Orleans for the benefit of all of our citizens.

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Transactions Unit – Review City bids, request for proposals or qualifications and contracts relative to procurement law, and cooperative endeavor agreements, memorandums of understanding and leases for form and legality whether executed by the Mayor or Council President;

Risk Management Unit – Protect City’s interests by monitoring and regulating City’s insurance coverage on all city property; investigates and adjusts all insurance claims against the city including workers compensation; and oversees judicial claims and sundry claims to pay claims against the city;

In-House/Research and Opinions Unit – Manage in-house administrative matters; advise the City Council on all legal matters; prepare and/or review legislative instruments; research and prepare advice responses and legal opinions; prepare proposed zoning ordinances and advises City Planning Commission on land use matters; and monitor all city sponsored and proposed legislation in the state legislature;

Municipal Court Unit – Prosecute offenders of alleged violations of the Municipal Criminal Code including domestic violence prosecutions;

Traffic Court Unit – Prosecute offenders of the Traffic Code;

General Litigation Unit – Protect the City’s interest as it relates to lawsuits involving City property; actions resulting from the conduct of City employees; worker’s compensation claims; fiscal matters; supervision of Support Staff in Civil Litigation and Risk Management;

Federal & Police Litigation Unit – Protect the City’s interests by defending the City and New Orleans Police officers in 1983 Civil Rights Action and tort actions; and provide legal counsel on any police matter to members of the police department. Actions resulting from the conduct of City employees; fiscal matters; labor and employment related matters concerning classified employees before the Civil Service Commission, supervision of Support Staff in police litigation and appearance.

Finance Unit – Provide legal advice to the Department of Finance including representing the Collector of Revenue in ad valorem, sales and use tax matters;

Housing Unit – Provide legal advice to the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Development Administration including representing the City in housing related litigation; render housing legal advice; and oversees adjudicated blighted properties amelioration, demolition, quick-take, expropriations and administrative hearings.