John B. Dunlap

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  • Principal

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225-282-0680

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Mr. Dunlap began his career as a prosecutor serving on active duty in the United States Army Judge Advocate General Corps.  In 1990 he was deployed to Iraq for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.  He has been in the private practice of law in Baton Rouge, Louisiana since completion of his active duty tour in 1992, where he practices in the areas of construction law, surety law, federal contracting, business law and commercial litigation.  He has extensive litigation experience in commercial and construction law in both State and Federal courts at the district and appellate court levels.  He has represented owners, contractors and design professionals in the arbitration and mediation of construction disputes.

Mr. Dunlap’s construction law practice includes representation of regional, national, and international clients in all aspects of the construction industry: contract and joint venture negotiation, Design Build contracts, CMAR contracts, construction lending, bid disputes, surety rights, disputes involving payment, delay, defective work, defective design, delay claims, and claims for additional work.  He has a particular specialty in federal contracting and issues involving the Federal Acquisition Regulation.  He has recently assisted clients in compliance with newly enacted Federal Contractor ethics rules. He has assisted Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small businesses and Disadvantaged business with Federal contracting issues.  His business practice includes the formation of corporate entities, corporate governance, shareholder disputes, business torts such as Unfair Trade Practices, lender liability and fiduciary litigation.  He has represented regulated business and utilities before the Louisiana Public Service Commission.

As a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Louisiana, Mr. Dunlap represents several state agencies in both litigation and regulatory matters.  He represents the Louisiana Department of Insurance in regulatory liability litigation and the Division of Administration in bid disputes, risk litigation, civil rights litigation and Federal Grant management and compliance.  He has experience working with the Governor's Office of Homeland Security on Homeland Security grants and has assisted local governments and contractors with issues relating to FEMA project worksheets and floodplain management.  Mr. Dunlap has served as bond counsel in the issuance of Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority Revenue Bonds.  He is listed in the "Bond Buyer's Municipal Marketplace" (the Red Book) as nationally recognized Bond Counsel.

In 2018 Mr. Dunlap was promoted Brigadier General in the Louisiana National Guard and served as the Assistant Adjutant General. From 2008 to 2018, he was the State Judge Advocate and the senior legal advisor to The Adjutant General. In April 2004, he was mobilized for 18 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Staff Judge Advocate of the 256th Brigade Combat Team. While deployed to Baghdad Brigadier General Dunlap served as senior legal advisor to the Commanding General of the 256th Brigade Combat Team and nine Task Force (Battalion) Commanders, including two U.S. Marine Corps Battalions assigned to the 256th. He provided advice to commanders relating to Military Justice, administrative law, contract and fiscal law, international law, Rules of Engagement, Detention Operations, and the Geneva Conventions. Brigadier General Dunlap retired from the National Guard in 2019 after 30 years of service.

Bar Admissions

  • Louisiana, 1989
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana, 1989
  • U.S. District Court Middle District of Louisiana, 1989
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana, 1989
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1989
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit, 1989
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, 1989
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 2009
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims, 2013

Education

  • Loyola University New Orleans School of Law, New Orleans, Louisiana
    • J.D. - 1989
  • U.S. Army War College, Carlisle , Pennsylvania
    • Master of Strategic Studies - 07/2012
  • Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    • B.A. - 1986

Classes/Seminars

  • Construction Law, National Business Institute, 1998 to Present
  • Homeland Security Law Update, National Guard Bureau Chief Counsel's Conference, 2009 to 2009

Honors and Awards

  • The Distinguished Service Medal
  • The Legion of Merit Medal
  • The Bronze Star Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
  • The Meritorious Service Medal
  • Southwest Asia Expeditionary Medal
  • Kuwait Liberation Medal
  • Combat Action Badge

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Louisiana State Bar Association, Construction Law Section
  • Baton Rouge Bar Association
  • American Bar Association, Construction Law Forum
  • American Bar Association, Fidelity and Surety Law Section
  • American Bar Association, Litigation Section
  • American Bar Association, Administrative Law Section
  • American Bar Association, Homeland Security Law Committee
  • The Pearlman Association, Member