Louisiana Employment Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Louisiana employment attorneys who handle LEDL discrimination, wage, retaliation, and wrongful-termination claims for workers across New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette, and Lake Charles. Whether you're facing an oil-and-gas termination, a healthcare retaliation, or a non-compete dispute, we'll match you with the right attorney — at no cost.

File with the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights (LCHR) within 1 year of the discriminatory act, or the EEOC within 180 days. LEDL also allows direct filing in state court within 1 year. The state administrative process suspends the SOL for up to 6 months.

LEDL covers race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40+), disability, sickle cell trait (La. R.S. § 23:352), and genetic information. Sexual orientation and gender identity are not statutorily protected at state level but Title VII covers both per Bostock. New Orleans and Shreveport have local fairness ordinances.

Yes. La. C.C. art. 2747 codifies at-will employment for indefinite-term contracts. The public-policy exception is narrow — statutory protections only (workers' comp retaliation, environmental whistleblowing, jury duty, military service).

Only if they strictly comply with La. R.S. § 23:921. Must be in writing, limited to specific named parishes or municipalities (not "the state of Louisiana"), no longer than 2 years from termination, and tied to a legitimate protectable interest. Louisiana courts will NOT blue-pencil overbroad agreements — they will void them entirely. This makes Louisiana non-competes very vulnerable to challenge.

Louisiana has no state minimum-wage statute setting a higher rate than federal — federal FLSA $7.25/hour applies. Tipped employees may receive $2.13/hour direct wages if tips bring the total to the full minimum.

No. La. R.S. § 23:1361 prohibits discharging or discriminating against an employee for asserting a workers' comp claim. Damages include reinstatement, 1 year of lost wages, and attorney fees.

Not without legal review. LEDL and federal Title VII / ADA / ADEA / FLSA / FMLA claims remain valuable. ADEA releases (40+) require 21 days to consider and 7-day revocation.

Why Do You Need a Employment Attorney in Louisiana?

The Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law (LEDL, La. R.S. § 23:301 et seq.) prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40+), disability, sickle cell trait, and genetic information at employers with 20+ employees (15+ for some claims). Sexual orientation and gender identity are not statutorily protected at state level but covered federally under Title VII per Bostock. Charges may be filed with the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights (LCHR) within 1 year or the EEOC within 180 days. Louisiana is at-will with a narrow public-policy exception. Non-competes are strictly regulated under La. R.S. § 23:921 — must be in writing, geographically limited to specific parishes/municipalities, time-limited to 2 years, and supported by a protectable business interest. Louisiana minimum wage is $7.25/hour (federal); overtime under federal FLSA. Louisiana has no state paid sick or family leave.

When Do You Need a Employment Attorney in Louisiana?

Our network includes Louisiana employment attorneys who handle every kind of case, including:

Types of Employment Cases in Louisiana

From the moment you connect with a Louisiana employment attorney, they go to work protecting your claim. The most common case types we handle:

Missing the 180-day EEOC filing deadline even if you have 1 year for LCHR/state suit

Signing a severance release without consulting an attorney

Talking to HR without documenting in writing afterward

Not preserving emails, Slack, and texts before being locked out

Posting about the dispute on social media

Accepting a final paycheck waiver without legal review

Missing the 180-day EEOC filing deadline even if you have 1 year for LCHR/state suit

Signing a severance release without consulting an attorney

Talking to HR without documenting in writing afterward

Not preserving emails, Slack, and texts before being locked out

Posting about the dispute on social media

Accepting a final paycheck waiver without legal review

Common Louisiana Employment Mistakes

Even a small misstep can hurt your case. Here’s what to avoid:

How Much Do Louisiana Employment Attorneys Cost?

33%

Typical starting contingency fee — you pay nothing unless your attorney recovers compensation for you.

Louisiana employment attorneys work on contingency or hybrid arrangements — typically 33%–40% of recovery. LEDL, Louisiana Wage Payment Act, and federal employment statutes shift attorney fees to the employer when the worker prevails.

What Can Your Louisiana Employment Compensation Include?

Back Pay

Lost wages and benefits from termination to judgment under LEDL and federal law. Uncapped.

Front Pay

Future lost earnings when reinstatement isn't feasible.

Compensatory Damages

Emotional distress and out-of-pocket losses. Federal Title VII / ADA cap $50K–$300K. LEDL allows compensatory damages without the federal cap in state-court actions.

Punitive Damages

Generally not available under LEDL (Louisiana law disfavors punitives except where specifically authorized). Federal Title VII / ADA punitives subject to federal cap.

Liquidated Damages

Louisiana Wage Payment Act (§ 23:632): up to 90 days' wages as penalty for late final pay. FLSA: doubles unpaid wages. ADEA: doubles back pay for willful violations.

Attorney Fees and Costs

Prevailing employees recover reasonable attorney fees under LEDL, Louisiana Wage Payment Act, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FLSA, and FMLA. Workers' comp retaliation (§ 23:1361) also fee-shifts.

!!!

DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Louisiana Employment Attorneys

Why Do You Need a Employment Attorney in Louisiana?

When Do You Need a Employment Attorney in Louisiana?

Types of Employment Cases in Louisiana

Common Louisiana Employment Mistakes

How Much Do Louisiana Employment Attorneys Cost?

What Can Your Louisiana Employment Compensation Include?

Ready when you are.

Your help is just

a minute away.

Start your case

in minutes.