Shawn Lindsay

Meet Shawn

A public servant who has over 22 years of courtroom experience.

Biography

A Career Built in Service

Shawn Lindsay is a seasoned Deputy City Attorney with over two decades of dedicated service to the City of New Orleans, where he has worked since 2004.

His diverse legal expertise spans general litigation, employment and labor civil service disputes, administrative appeals, personal injury, and zoning and land-use administrative appeals. Known for his assertive and effective litigation approach, Shawn has successfully argued countless exceptions and motions in Louisiana state courts.

Over the past nine years, Shawn has concentrated on land use and zoning administrative appeals, supervising state litigation and appeals. His work has been instrumental in shaping ordinances and policies addressing zoning, historic preservation, building codes, and blight. Shawn's accomplishments extend to entities such as the Board of Zoning Adjustments, Code Enforcement and Hearings Bureau, Short Term Rental divisions, the Vieux Carre Commission, and the New Orleans City Council. His appellate work includes successful arguments before the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal and the Louisiana State Supreme Court.

Shawn earned his Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School, where he served as a Moot Court Teaching Assistant and participated in the esteemed Trial Advocacy Program. Committed to professional excellence and community service, he is a proud member of the Louisiana State Bar Association, the New Orleans Bar Association, the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, and the A.P. Tureaud Inn of Court. In addition, Shawn serves as a Touro Infirmary Foundation Board member and as a dedicated volunteer with Son of a Saint.

With a remarkable career underscored by legal acumen, civic engagement, and an unwavering commitment to justice, Shawn continues to play a pivotal role in the governance and development of the vibrant City of New Orleans.

Shawn Lindsay

Early Life

20+
Years Serving New Orleans
2004
Joined the City Attorney's Office
500+
Cases Argued in Louisiana Courts
Legal Career

Two Decades of Public Service

2017 | Present

Deputy City Attorney | Land Use & Zoning

City of New Orleans, City Attorney's Office

Leads Land Use and Zoning litigation and appeals. Represents the City before the Board of Zoning Adjustments, Vieux Carré Commission, Code Enforcement Bureau, and City Council. Argued successfully before the Louisiana Fourth Circuit and State Supreme Court.

2004 | 2017

Assistant City Attorney

City of New Orleans, City Attorney's Office

General litigation, employment and labor civil service disputes, administrative appeals, and zoning matters. Represented the City in Civil Service disciplinary hearings across all departments. Served as Administrative Hearing Officer in Health Violation and Blighted Property proceedings.

2003 | 2004

Senior Judicial Law Clerk

24th Judicial District Court, Hon. Fredericka Wicker · Gretna, Louisiana

Researched and summarized law for civil cases. Drafted bench memoranda, judgments, and jury instructions.

Spring / Fall 2000

Judicial Extern

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, Hon. Ivan L.R. Lemelle

Legal research, bench memoranda, appellate brief summaries, and oral argument observation.

Track Record

Notable Cases & Victories

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal

Maureen Greer, et al. v. City of New Orleans

2025-0320 (La. App. 4 Cir. 11/26/25); 424 So. 3d 1210, writ denied, 429 So. 3d 730 (La. 4/9/26)

Defended the City's decision to allow New Orleans' first Trader Joe's, upholding the Board of Zoning Adjustments against neighborhood opposition.

Reversed in favor of the City, upholding the decision of the Board of Zoning Adjustments to grant variances allowing the development of the first Trader Joe's in the City.

Louisiana Supreme Court

Beer Industry League of La., et al. v. City of New Orleans

18-0280 (La. 6/27/18), 251 So. 3d 380

Saved the City's beer tax, protecting millions in municipal revenue at the state's highest court.

Upheld the constitutionality of the City's Gallonage Tax, reversing the district court.

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal

3000-3032 St. Claude Ave., LLC v. New Orleans City Council

2022-0813 (La. App. 4 Cir. 6/22/23); 368 So. 3d 1160, writ denied, 373 So. 3d 64 (La. 11/8/23)

Protected a neighborhood from unwanted rezoning, standing with residents over outside developers.

Court reversed the district court and denied plaintiff's request to overturn the Council's rezoning denial.

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal

Neighbors of 200 Henry Clay Avenue v. Bd. of Zoning Adjustment

2021-0387 (La. App. 4 Cir. 1/26/22); 335 So. 3d 255

Secured approval for a critical hospital expansion, including a life-saving helicopter landing pad serving the whole city.

Reversed in favor of the City, upholding a hospital's multimillion-dollar renovation including a helicopter landing pad.