Joseph J. Cefalu, III

Joseph J. Cefalu is a partner practicing in the Casualty Litigation section of the Baton Rouge office at Breazeale. Joseph attended Louisiana State University and graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in the field of accounting. He then graduated cum laude from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University with a Juris Doctor and Graduate Diploma in Comparative Law. While in law school, Joseph was a member of the Louisiana Law Review and Editor-in-Chief of The Civilian.

Joseph’s practice primarily involves defending various companies, employers, insurers, and self-insured funds. His practice includes tort and insurance defense, trucking and automobile accidents, premises liability, products liability, operational negligence, hurricane claims, workers' compensation, and class actions. He has experience with contractual indemnification and insurance coverage issues as well.

For catastrophic incidents, Joseph’s clients trust him to perform emergency response services immediately after an incident to secure the scene, investigate the incident, retain experts, preserve all forms of evidence, obtain witness statements, work with any law enforcement involved, and provide an early evaluation of the incident to the client. Joseph has experience leading and managing large cases with numerous parties, and attorneys.

Joseph advises clients and litigates issues surrounding business disputes, property and boundary disputes, contract and lease disputes, behavioral health, interdictions and judicial commitments.

Practice Areas

• Class Action, Mass Tort & Multi-District Litigation
• Transportation
• Workers' Compensation and Claims Management
• Premises Liability
• Casualty Litigation
• Medical Malpractice

Education

Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Louisiana State University, Juris Doctor and Graduate Diploma in Comparative Law, cum laude, 2012

Louisiana State University, Accounting, summa cum laude, 2009

Admissions

Admitted to practice in all Louisiana State and Federal Courts.

Professional Associations

Louisiana State Bar Association

Baton Rouge Bar Association

• Judge Joseph Keogh Memoria Award, 2021
• Young Lawyers Section, Council Member
• Worker's Compensation Section
• Editor-in-Chief, The Baton Rouge Lawyer (2019-2022)
• Assistant Editor, The Baton Rouge Lawyer (2016-2019)
• Holiday Star Project

Judge of Flory Trial and Moot Court Competitions at Paul M. Hebert School of Law

Forum 35

Community Involvement

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana

• Parish Advisory Counsel Member
• Co-Founder of Club Blue, the Boys & Girls Club Young Professionals Organization
• Mentor
• Steak and Stake Fundraiser Committee Member

CABL Leadership Louisiana (Class of 2023)

BRAC Leadership (Class of 2020)

LANO Community Leaders Program (Class of 2017)

Louisiana Art and Science Museum Host Committee Member

Honors and Awards

Recipient, Baton Rouge Bar Association President's Award (2023)

Recipient, Judge Joseph Keogh Memorial Award (2021)

Finalist, Louisiana State Bar Association, Young Lawyer Division, Outstanding Young Lawyer Award (2021)

Named "Ones to Watch" by Best Lawyers (2021-2023)

Named a "Rising Star" by Louisiana Super Lawyers since (2016-2023)

AV^® Preeminent^TM Peer Review Rating in Martindale-Hubbell

Named St. Michael's 2017 Distinguished Graduate

Top 40 Young Lawyers Award, Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (2022)

Publications