L. Bianca Chretien

Attorney

Lafayette, LA

L. Bianca Chretien was born and raised in the heart of Acadiana—Lafayette, La. In 2000, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she was the editor of The Vermilion, UL Lafayette’s weekly newspaper, and Verité magazine. She worked as a reporter for Lafayette’s daily newspaper for a year before moving on to earn a Bachelor of Civil Law degree and her Juris Doctorate from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La., in 2004.

Prior to joining the firm in 2019, Bianca honed her skills as a civil litigator through her representation of plaintiffs, national businesses, railroad companies and insurance companies of various types. She has handled cases from start to finish, including conducting investigations, taking depositions, motion practice, alternative dispute resolution, trial and appeals. She is adept at discerning the needs of her clients in each particular case; evaluating issues thoroughly and assiduously; and developing a practical and efficient strategy to ensure the best possible outcome. She has cultivated a reputation in the local legal community as a talented and hard worker, a consummate professional and a good-natured colleague.

When she is not practicing law, she enjoys meditation, learning and teaching yoga, attending live music events and writing fiction and personal essays.

Practice Areas
- General Casualty (Personal injury and property damage cases)
- General Trial Practice and Insurance Defense
- Automobile Liability Coverage and Defense
- Insurance Coverage Defense
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
- Premises Liability
- Louisiana State Workers’ Compensation
- Admiralty and Maritime Accident Litigation (Jones Act, Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, vessel and platform accidents & diving cases)
- Railroad litigation (crossing accident cases, derailments & casualty)
- Family Law
Education
- Louisiana State University, J.D. & B.C.L. (2004)
  - Wex Malone American Inns of Court
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette, B.A., Magna Cum Laude (2000)
  - Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Bar Admissions
- Louisiana
Court Admissions
- Louisiana Supreme Court
- All Louisiana State Courts
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
- United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
Experience
- Extensive experience as in-house claims litigation counsel for large national insurer engaged in defense of automobile liability claims and uninsured/underinsured claims for variety of policyholders.
- Lead counsel in successful bench trial involving traffic light dispute with extensive injuries to plaintiff and expert testimony. The Court ruled for defense, finding expert testimony irrelevant and credibility of well-prepared defendant driver more persuasive.
- Lead counsel in successful bench trial involving rear-end accident with claims of extensive property damage, loss of income from same and bad faith allegation against insurer for failure to timely adjust claim. The Court ruled in favor of defense, finding that accident had not occurred as plaintiffs and witness testified based on property damage evidence presented by defense.
- Successful appeal to Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal of Motion for Summary Judgment on medical causation in case where plaintiff was involved in three automobile accidents in a six-month period and had received substantial medical treatment.
- Successful appeal to Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal reversing trial court’s ruling that plaintiff’s uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance carrier being solidary obligor with the workers’ compensation carrier for purposes of interrupting prescription.
- Won a motion for summary judgment for insured client who was middle vehicle in a rear-end collision arguing that physical evidence and testimony established that driver of middle vehicle had been at a complete stop when accident occurred.
- Extensive experience in taking depositions of plaintiffs regarding liability facts and medical causation; in taking witness testimony; in cross- examination of expert witnesses; and in preparation of lay witnesses and expert witnesses for being cross-examined by opposing counsel.
- Participated in the auditing of legal files of insurance defense firm in order to assure that file-handling guidelines set by insurer were being properly enforced and followed, and that safeguards in place to protect privacy and secure sensitive data and information were being prioritized.
- Remains up-to-date regarding advancements in the evolution of technology and how that technology impacts various areas of legal practice in terms of use in client communication; use of technology in investigation; use in case preparation and presentation; cyber security; and efficiency in case management.
Professional and Community Affiliations
- Louisiana State Bar Association
- Lafayette Parish Bar Association
- Lafayette Volunteer Lawyers
- Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, Greater Lafayette Chapter
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Recognitions
- Lafayette Volunteer Lawyers Outstanding Attorney Award, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
- Lafayette Volunteer Lawyers H.E.L.P. Award, 2008
- NITA trial skills certification, 2009
- Louisiana State Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Award, 2011
- Louisiana State Bar Association Pro Bono Century Award, 2011
- Louisiana State Bar Association, Leadership LSBA 2012-2013 Class
- Faith House, Inc. (Domestic Violence Crisis Center), Board of Directors/President, 2012-2014
- Lafayette Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2014-2015
- Lafayette Bar Association, Editorial Committee, 2014-2015