Committed Representation
Suzette and Emile Bagneris have formed a successful partnership in life and law.
Suzette Peychaud Bagneris and Emile A. Bagneris, III, bring their collective strengths to The Bagneris Firm, LLC, representing clients across the country in personal injury, civil litigation and criminal litigation from both the plaintiff and defense perspective. Both attorneys have been recognized for possessing the highest ethical and legal ability in the practice of law by their peers. This honor is designated by an AV Preeminent rating with Martindale-Hubbell.
In 2004, Suzette started the firm with an emphasis on representing victims of personal injury who are often overlooked and under-represented. Her mantra, “To whom much is given, much will be required,” taken from Luke 12:48, governed her case selection. For more than two decades, Suzette has enjoyed a very successful litigation practice slaying Goliath-like corporations and national defense firms in complex cases. To date, she has received more than $400 million in recovery for class action clients. For her consistent receipt of multimillion dollar settlements, and verdicts in individual and class action cases, she has been admitted to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a distinction held by 1 percent of attorneys in the country. She is also among the 1 percent of attorneys in the country admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.
Throughout her legal career, Suzette has earned a reputation for being a tough advocate for her clients and has been described by the press as one of the best female litigators in the State of Louisiana. She has developed respect among her colleagues and members of the judiciary for her intelligence, level of preparation that she brings to each case, and the impassioned and compassionate fight offered to each client in the courtroom. Known for her zealous advocacy for her clients, for her persuasive oral argument skills in both trial and appellate courts, she believes in working hard and offering her clients the best possible result. “Emile and I are in our element standing before a jury because that is where all the different aspects of the case come together,” Suzette says. “Not all attorneys like to take a case to trial; that is why sometimes we will receive referrals from them to handle their tough cases. We will not take less to avoid the courtroom. We will fight to get the most compensation for our clients, and insurance companies know it.”
In 2016, Emile, her husband, joined the firm bringing his 23 years of litigation experience gained from handling criminal defense cases, serving as an Assistant District Attorney under Harry Connick, and representing large corporations and insurance companies on the defense side of civil litigation. For more than two decades, Emile’s practice has been concentrated in general liability, medical malpractice, products liability, commercial litigation, environmental litigation, professional liability and auto/transportation. He has tried in excess of 70 jury trials and 200 judge trials in Orleans Parish. His wealth of experience, outstanding trial skills and significant knowledge of the venue, judges and jurors before which he practices has earned him a designation as a Top Lawyer as designated by his peers.
Emile has educated adjusters at large insurance companies regarding how to defend civil claims. He knows the psyche and processes employed by insurance companies to diminish claims. Now, he is using his knowledge and experience gathered from handling all types of litigation from multiple angles to build the best possible cases for his clients. Emile’s varied professional experiences and the stellar reputation that he has developed conversationally persuading juries to see things from his clients’ perspectives adds a dimension to The Bagneris Firm that allows the firm to handle any challenge coming its way.
“Throughout my career I have represented clients from all walks of life and on both sides of the courtroom,” Emile says. “Suzette and I share the same vision and work ethic and that is why we make a great team. We both want to ensure that our clients get the representation they deserve and offer them personalized service. Our goal is to be responsive and proactive to successfully litigate or settle your claim. Whether you are a part of a class action or fighting alone, we will be with you in the litigation trenches fighting every step along the way.”
Suzette and Emile Bagneris are proud, native New Orleanians. Suzette attended Ursuline Academy High School, and Emile attended Jesuit High School. If you ask them where they went to school, they will tell you about their high schools first, which they boast to be the best in the country. Their paths crossed at Loyola University in New Orleans, where they began dating in the fall of 1987. From Loyola, Suzette earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Communications, graduating magna cum laude, and Emile earned a Bachelor of Business Administration. Together, they attended Loyola Law School to obtain their juris doctorate degrees, and together they were sworn in to practice law right behind each other Oct. 8, 1993.
Living in New Orleans is not a spectator sport for this dynamic duo. Suzette and Emile are active participants in their communities. She lends her support to her alma mater Ursuline Academy and is an active, life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Mystic Krewe of Nyx, while he maintains an active, life membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, Inc., and Young Men Illinois, Inc. In addition to assisting with community organizations and initiatives, both attorneys are seasoned speakers and presenters on topics ranging from personal injury trial practice to class action-related topics before members of the New Orleans and Louisiana Bar Associations. The couple serves on various charter school boards and has adopted several schools where they donate time, resources and funding to providing school supplies, winter coats, and other needs to elementary and middle school children in New Orleans.