This Law Firm Publication by Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. discusses a decision issued on December 14, 2016 by a judge in Louisiana's 19th Judicial District Court (located in Baton Rouge). The court permanently enjoined an executive order signed in April 2016 by Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards that would prohibit state contractors from discriminating against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender employees. The executive order was challenged by Louisiana's Attorney General Jeff Landry and others. The court held that the executive order was illegal as a matter of law because it violated the state's separation of powers doctrine. Governor Edwards announced that he will appeal the decision but will not seek to enforce the executive order while the appeal is pending.