Elena is a seasoned litigator with over 350 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, workmans compensation litigation, international customs litigation, U.S. customs litigation, international contracts and litigation, premise liability, general civil litigation, and immigration law. 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 the 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 on 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, Kansas City Southern Railway Company, Oceanetics, Truston Technologies, WMD Squared Engineering, Ranger Aviation, Gulf Fleet, InCat Crowther Engineering, Lafayette Parish School Board, ExxonMobil, Berkley Insurer, Navigators Insurer, and AIG. Elena is a proud mother and loving wife. She resides with her family in Lafayette, LA.
Work Phone:
(337) 266-2233
Email:
eknezek@knezeklaw.com
Website:
www.knezeklaw.com
EPA Region:
Region 6 – (AR, LA, NM, OK, and TX)
Year of induction:
2024
Degrees:
Louisiana State University Law Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
J.D., 2000
Louisiana State University
B.S. ,1997
Admissions:
Texas
Louisiana
Admitted to practice Pro Hac Vice in Hawaii, Virginia, Utah, and Washington
Court Admissions:
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana
U.S. District Court Middle District of Louisiana
U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
Professional Societies and Organizations:
American Bar Association, International Law and Practice Section
National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, 2000 current
Louisiana Association of Defense Lawyers
Lafayette Parish Bar Association
American Bar Association
Young Lawyers Association
International Law Association
International Commercial Law Association of the International Law Association
Louisiana Leadership Graduate 2015 2016
American Inn of Court (Lafayette), President, 2015 2016
Baton Rouge Inns of Court, Honorary Student Member, 1999 2000
International Trade and Development Group, Chair 2012 2015 Executive Board Member 2007 2016
Junior League of Lafayette
Episcopal School of Acadiana, Board of Trustees ( 2013 current)
Former One Acadiana Board Member
Community Foundation of Acadiana Board Member
The 705 Young Leaders, Former Member
National School Board Association Council of School Attorneys
American Immigration Lawyers Association
Other Environmental Career Experience:
Certified Tank Car Specialist (Certification in Emergency Preparedness and Response)