Our Story
Andrews · Lagasse · Branch & Bell LLP,
A 100% Minority and Female Owned Law Firm
San Diego, CA - October 22, 2007, four former partners of Gordon & Rees LLP, one of California's largest law firms, announced the launch of Andrews · Lagasse · Branch & Bell LLP, a 100% minority and female owned law firm. Named partners Jonathan Andrews, Traci Lagasse, Jennifer Branch and Margaret (Margi) Bell boast nearly 50 years of combined legal experience and specialize in providing comprehensive legal solutions to California businesses, insurance companies and nonprofit organizations. "The decision to open our own law firm grew from our continued desire to provide responsive, hands-on legal services consistent with smaller law offices, while simultaneously maintaining, and in many ways exceeding,the available resources of larger firms," said Andrews. "This dynamic synergy of legal expertise and commitment to collaborative client services effectively integrates our personality and experiences with the demands of our clients."
Mr. Andrews, Ms. Branch and Ms. Bell specialize in employment law, specifically in providing consulting, training and litigation services to company management. In his tenure with Gordon & Rees, Mr. Andrews led the firm's Diversity Committee, the Partner/Associate Committee and the Pro Bono Program for the San Diego office. Ms. Branch was head of the Gordon & Rees' San Diego Summer Associate Program, and Ms. Bell co-chaired the San Diego office's Employment Group. Ms. Bell was selected by her peers to be honored on the 2007 Southern California/San Diego Super Lawyers list, which represents the top 5% of attorneys in San Diego County.
Ms. Lagasse brings to the firm her specialties in construction law; defense of architects and engineers; toxic tort; and professional liability litigation. She was co-chair of the San Diego Construction Group at Gordon & Rees and in 2007 the Daily Transcript in Southern California named Ms. Lagasse a Top Attorney in Real Estate and Construction Law, giving her the distinction of being one of the youngest attorneys to receive the honor.
The partners believe that their hands-on approach and diverse backgrounds are what set them apart. "We are probably most proud of how well-rounded we are as a firm," says Ms. Lagasse. "Our strengths are highlighted by the responsive, hands-on manner in which we service our clients, our utilization of creative approaches to resolution and, when appropriate, aggressively preparing our client's defense for trial. In addition, our attorneys frequently present seminars to clients and professional institutions, and remain dedicated to volunteering for local community organizations." The founding partners are also proud of their firm's distinction of being 100% minority and female owned, and feel that it complements their personal skills and commitment to success. "We all see the diverse nature of our firm as an integral part of what we are all about," said Ms. Branch. "Our unique environment fosters collaboration and allows flexibility so we can better meet the demands of our clients, who are always our number one focus."
"This mission we are implementing for our new firm has already received a very favorable response from our clients and our peers in the legal community" said Ms. Bell, who has spent her 16-year career practicing in a large firm environment. "Very simply, we are getting "back to basics" where the focus is on working directly with our clients, responding to their specific needs and providing the results they are looking for."
