Traci S. Lagasse

Overview

Traci Lagasse is a founding member of Lagasse Branch Bell + Kinkead LLP and heads the Firm’s Tort and Professional Liability Practice Groups. Ms. Lagasse’s personal injury practice focuses on defending complex and high exposure cases involving catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, brain injuries, electrocutions, toxic exposures, and other personal injuries in premises liability, commercial trucking/auto, and product liability cases. Her clients include companies in all industries, including multi-family, public entities, utility companies, and restaurant, retail and hospitality. Ms. Lagasse has successfully tried numerous cases in state and federal court (many resulting in nonsuit or directed verdict) and has obtained countless successful results through summary judgment.

Ms. Lagasse’s professional liability practice involves the defense of design professionals in complex construction defect and delay claims, as well as the defense of a variety of other professionals, including real estate professionals, accountants, pharmacists, health care providers, and insurance agents. She regularly advises clients on contractual issues, including insurance, indemnity, defense, and other liability issues.

From 2009 through 2022, Ms. Lagasse has been voted by her peers to be included on the list of Southern California Super Lawyers in the areas of Personal Injury – Defense and Professional Liability – Defense, an award that recognizes the top 5% of California attorneys. She was also named “Best Lawyers in America” in 2021 and 2022. Ms. Lagasse has also been selected as one of the Top 25 Women Lawyers and the Top 50 Lawyers in San Diego. In 2010, Ms. Lagasse, along with her partners Jennifer Branch and Margi Bell, was honored by the San Diego Business Journal as one of San Diego’s Women Who Mean Business, an award presented annually to women leaders in San Diego’s business community. Ms. Lagasse is actively involved in the National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) and its Restaurant, Retail and Hospitality PAC. She is an active member of the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel and a past member of the Board of Directors for the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of San Diego, where she served as chairman of its Programs and Seminars Committee for three years.

Ms. Lagasse regularly presents seminars to clients and professional organizations on a variety of subjects, including general claims handling practices, strategies in responding to social inflation and the “reptile theory,” attacking inflated medical damages and liens, the pros and cons of arbitration versus trial, and ethical issues involved in the tripartite relationship, among others.

Outside of her law practice, Ms. Lagasse enjoys yoga, travel, baking, and spending time with her husband and twin sons.