Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith

Galloway Johnson has been privileged to represent various government bodies, including State departments, agencies, and political subdivisions, in a variety of litigation, investigations and official proceedings. Our attorneys find this area of practice challenging and rewarding because it presents a variety of demands with issues and disputes that can dramatically impact the effective operation of government systems.

Our cases have included single-plaintiff, class action and mass tort litigation involving civil rights claims, road hazards, serious personal injuries and environmental torts. For example, our attorneys have defended numerous civil rights cases, as well as the State of Louisiana against claims stemming from Hurricane Katrina.

As special counsel to a State board, we have provided reliable counsel with respect to legal, procedural and regulatory issues applicable to the work of the board. Our attorneys’ experience in civil rights law includes extensive litigation in state courts, federal district courts, and the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

In addition to representing government bodies, Galloway Johnson has defended various private parties, specifically employers and insurers, in a variety of civil rights and employment litigation. Our defense of employers begins at the investigative phases by various administrative bodies and continues through any potential litigation to resolution of the claim. Our cases have included single and multiple claimant litigation involving individual civil rights claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Family Medical Leave Act. Additionally, our practice has often focused on defending claims alleging violations of more specific federal regulations including the Davis Bacon Act, the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act, the Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act, and also individual states' regulations regarding civil rights and wage payment.

Beyond litigation defense, Galloway Johnson offers a variety of employment law services, including evaluating our clients' internal human resources policies and advising employers on pro-active practices to prevent future employment litigation. Additionally, our firm has created employment handbooks for a variety of businesses, helped employers create and implement internal record keeping policies that will be useful in defending future employment litigation, and has even assisted employers with internal investigations of employee misconduct and the creation of Separation Agreements and Releases in the event of termination of employees for a variety of reasons.

Our experienced civil rights and employment attorneys offer seminars on a multitude of civil rights and employment topics, including sexual harassment in the workplace, employees' rights in the workplace, preventing and defending employment litigation, effective human resources policies, record keeping and document retention, labor and wage issues, and more. Galloway Johnson is pleased to offer these informative presentations to clients and their employees in order to keep our clients' well apprised of the most up-to-date civil rights and employment laws, issues, and changes. Our attorneys find that keeping clients well informed and advised with regard to their internal policies has served the clients well in preventing and defending their business against employment liability.

Galloway offers its clients a team of professionals that reflect both our commitment and our clients’ commitment to diversity. Diversity enhances the quality of our legal services just like it enhances our clients’ businesses. Our goal is to attract and develop the most talented and motivated professionals while insuring fairness, respect and opportunity for advancement regardless of race, gender, age, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or other protected status.

Our firm’s commitment to diversity is reflected in our member's civic, legal, and industry leadership.

Galloway commits to the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Diversity Pledge
Galloway is proud to support the LSBA’s Diversity Statement of Principles and make the following commitment:

Those signing this Statement of Principles hereby commit themselves to foster diversity in the legal profession. The LSBA recognizes that diversity is an inclusive concept that encompasses race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, disability and other aspects of diversity.

We believe that with greater diversity, we can be more creative, effective and bring more varied perspectives, experiences, backgrounds, talents and interest to the practice of law and the administration of justice. We further believe that a diverse group of talented legal professionals is critically important to the success of every law firm, corporate or government legal department, law school and public service organization and every other organization that includes attorneys.

We recognize that to fully and equitably pursue justice, our profession must reflect the full spectrum of our communities. To this end, we pledge to make our best efforts to increase the diversity in our hiring, retention and promotion of attorneys and the elevation of attorneys to leadership positions within our respective organizations. We believe that all members of the bar should participate equally and fully in our profession. Ultimately, we believe that diversity, in the legal profession is good for the profession, good for business, good for our communities and critical for enhancing the public’s confidence in the judicial system.

Galloway believes that achieving diversity within our organizations and creating inclusive environments are evolutionary processes that require a continued effort and commitment on our part. We pledge to promote and participate in appropriate diversity awareness training programs. We further agree to participate in programs to measure our progress in the pursuit of these stated principles.

Galloway sponsors 21st Annual Minority Job Fair
Galloway was proud to serve as a Gold Level sponsor of the 21st Annual Minority Job Fair, hosted by the Louisiana State Bar Association. Our directors and associates who attended were pleased to see a fantastic number of talented law students take advantage of this year’s event. We believe that our leadership in such endeavors forms an essential part of our commitment to diversity in the legal profession.