Joseph J. Cefalu, III

Joseph J. Cefalu is a partner in the Casualty Litigation section of the Baton Rouge office of Breazeale Sachse. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Louisiana State University, graduating summa cum laude. He then received his Juris Doctor and Graduate Diploma in Comparative Law from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at LSU where he graduated cum laude. During law school, Joseph served as a member of the Louisiana Law Review and was Editor-in-Chief of The Civilian.

Joseph's civil litigation practice focuses on defending companies, employers, insurers and self-insured entities across a broad range of matters. His experience includes tort and insurance defense, trucking and automobile accidents, premises liability, products liability, operational negligence, occupational accidents and workers' compensation. He routinely defends clients after accidents involving heavy machinery, industrial trucks and lifts and scaffolding, among others. He also advises and represents employers during OSHA inspections and investigations, and defends against citations and related enforcement actions.

For catastrophic incidents, clients rely on Joseph to lead emergency response efforts, including securing the scene, conducting investigations, preserving evidence, retaining experts, coordinating with law enforcement, gathering witness statements and providing early case evaluations. He has significant experience managing high-stakes and complex litigation.

In addition to his litigation work, Joseph advises clients and litigates matters involving contractual indemnity, insurance coverage, business disputes, property and boundary disputes, contract and lease issues, behavioral health matters, 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 Council 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 of the Top Forty Under Forty, Baton Rouge Business Report (2023)

Baton Rouge Volunteer Activists Award, The Emerge Foundation (2023)

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

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

Recipient, Judge Joseph Keogh Memorial Award (2021)

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

Named St. Michael's Distinguished Graduate (2017)

Named "Ones to Watch" by Best Lawyers (Since 2021)

Named a "Rising Star" by Louisiana Super Lawyers (Since 2016)

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

Publications