With 20 years of litigation experience, Elena is a seasoned litigator with over 380 civil trials completed and more than 500 appearances in Federal and State courts across the United States. She practices in the areas of complex litigation, transportation contracts and litigation, toxic tort litigation, class action litigation, oil and gas litigation, general commercial contracts and litigation, admiralty and maritime litigation, medical contracts and litigation, commercial and air carrier leases, workman's compensation litigation, international customs litigation, U.S. customs litigation, international contracts and litigation, premise liability, general civil litigation and immigration law. Elena also manages a firm of attorneys in several states and across Louisiana.
As one of the few lawyers to hold a certification as a Level A Hazardous Material Responder from the Security and Response Training Center, she has lead defense litigation teams from onset of an incident through complex toxic tort litigation and the appellate process to the benefit of the client. Elena knows what it means to be the boots on the ground and the person behind the podium.
In addition to being a lawyer, Elena has experience in being an international business owner. She has extensive experience working abroad to facilitate new business opportunities and in running offshore companies.
As an immigrant from Chile who spent considerable time living abroad in Central America and Europe before gaining her U.S. citizenship as a teen, she knows the difficulties that families face to make a better life for themselves here in the U.S. She also understands the challenges faced by business and Government entities traversing U.S. Immigration laws. Elena is also a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. This experience further focuses the efforts of her immigration work.
She is driven by her focus, drive and skill to execute the perfect solution for her clients. Representative clients include Union Pacific Railroad Company, Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway, Truston Technologies, Oceanetics, WMD Squared Engineering, Ranger Aviation, Gulf Fleet, InCat Crowther Engineering, Lafayette Parish School Board, Vermilion Parish School Board, ExxonMobil, Berkley Insurer, Renzeberger Transportation, Navigators Insurer, and AIG.
Honors & Awards
Woman of Excellence
Lafayette Commission on the Needs of Women
Oct 2019
Super Lawyer
Super Lawyers
Jan 2018
Louisiana Leadership 2016
Top Lawyer of Acadiana 2014
Top Lawyer of Acadiana 2015
Top Lawyer of Acadiana 2016
Top Lawyer of Acadiana 2017
Top Lawyer of Acadiana 2018
Organizations
Community Foundation of Acadiana
Board Member
Jan 2019 – Present
One Acadiana - Chamber
Board Member
Nov 2016 – Present
Louisiana Leadership
Feb 2016 – Present
Episcopal School of Acadiana
Board of Trustee
Jan 2016 – Present
International Trade and Development Group for the City of Lafayette
Chair and Executive Board Member
2007 – Jan 2016
Lafayette Bar Association
Executive Board
Jan 2010 – Jan 2014
Junior League of Lafayette
Jan 2000 – Jan 2007
