Rachal D. Chance is a partner in the New Orleans office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the Complex Business & Commercial Litigation and Insurance Coverage Practices. Rachal has argued in 30 of Louisiana’s 43 state district courts and all federal district courts of Louisiana. In this way, her legal career reflects her personal experiences, having resided in most of Louisiana’s major cities and having relatives across the Pelican State – from the pine trees to the bayous.

“Be yourself” and “be direct with your client” are central tenets of Rachal’s legal practice. In the courtroom, she’s seen that advocates who are not authentic and direct often have difficulty connecting with juries, and, thus, are less likely to achieve the desired result on behalf of their clients. She says she has been fortunate to work with excellent trial lawyers as mentors. Regardless of courtroom style, “preparation is paramount.” Similarly, for mediation and arbitration, proper preparation allows one to best evaluate a claim. In all, her goal is to make the client’s experience as simple and expeditious as possible.

At LSU’s Law Center, Rachal worked as a research assistant to the late Susan B. Kalinka, beloved tax professor, and, upon graduation, she clerked for the Honorable John C. Davidson, Judge of the Ninth Judicial District Court.

Since then, Rachal has practiced litigation in Louisiana and provided coverage analyses for diverse subject matter including, but not limited to, professional liability – D&O, E&O for medical professionals, architects/engineers, and agents/brokers; contractual issues; product liability; premises liability; and marine D&I. She has represented clients by pro hac vice admission in Texas, Mississippi, and Florida.

Outside the office, Rachal’s creative outlets include painting and sewing, and she enjoys supporting the vibrant art community of New Orleans.

Professional Presentations

Jones Act Seaman Status Update, Maritime Risk Claim Solutions, Inc. CLE, October 2017

Admissions

• State Bar Admissions
  • Louisiana
• United States District Courts
  • 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

Admissions

Louisiana

United States District Courts: Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, Western District of Louisiana

Associations

• Louisiana State Bar Association
• New Orleans Bar Association
• Shreveport Bar Association
• Defense Research Institute
• Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel
• U.S. Senate Youth Alumni Association
• Arts Council of New Orleans

Education

Louisiana State University Law Center

Juris Doctor

Baylor University

Bachelor of Science

• Alpha Epsilon Delta Honor Society
• University Scholars Program
• Baylor in Great Britain, summer abroad, Imperial College London

Representative Matters

• Obtained “no coverage” verdict as trial counsel for alleged insurer, professional liability policy; Trosclair v. ACE Am. Ins. Co., No. 185301 (under seal), 32nd Judicial District Court for Terrebonne Parish.
• Obtained consent judgment for defendant, following motion for summary judgment, where investigation and deposition showed plaintiff could not have been on the premises of an industrial paper mill as alleged; Skipper v. Int’l Paper Co., et al., No. 17-0396, 4th Judicial District Court for Morehouse Parish.
• Mediated multiple catastrophic injury claims.
• Mediated multiple-loss property claims.