Overview
Margaret (“Peggy”) Joffe now focuses her practice on managing toxic tort (primarily asbestos) litigation and provides guidance and counsel to local and regional counsel. She has extensive trial experience, and handled thousands of matters through various case resolution strategies. Peggy serves as national coordinating counsel, oversees administration of local counsel litigation activities and provides support and assists with case resolution efforts in jurisdictions nationwide. She is adept at establishing defenses based on medical and scientific issues, including medical causation, disease processes, epidemiology, state of the art, and industrial hygiene. The preparation of experts for disposition and trial is an essential component of the defense efforts. Early resolution efforts and effective motion practice are key areas of focus.
Education
- Loyola University New Orleans School of Law, New Orleans, Louisiana
- J.D. – 1986
- Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana
- B.S. – 1979
Admissions
- Louisiana, 1986
- U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1986
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana, 1986
- U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana, 1986
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Louisiana, 1986
Experience
- Defended at trial to close to 200 asbestos claims to verdict.
- Has efficiently and successfully negotiated dismissal of thousands of claims before the client incurs costs and fees.
- Obtained summary judgments of insulation contractor and executive officers in toxic tort litigation.
- Established good working relationships with opposing counsel and co-defense counsel, which ensures the clients benefit of early and reasonable resolutions.
- Coordinated joint defense efforts on medical, economic and scientific efforts saving clients significant litigation costs.
- Coordinate defense insurance team to assist insurers in sharing defense costs on major legacy litigation cases.
Publications & Presentations
- Instructor, Trial Advocacy at Loyola School of Law.
- Presentation: “Oops, Can’t Take it Back” – Inadvertent Disclosures in Louisiana.
- Presentation: Masters of the Courtroom, LADC, and numerous seminars over 30+ years of practice.
Distinctions
- Recipient, Jurisprudence Award for Negotiating and Client Counseling
Associations
- New Orleans Bar Association, Member
- Louisiana State Bar Association, Member
- Federal Bar Association, Member
- American Bar Association, Member
- Maritime Law Association of the United States, Past Member
- Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, Inc., Past Member
- Association for Women Attorneys, Member
- Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, Member
- Defense Research Institute
Civic Involvement
- Girl Scout Leader (past)
- School Board President (past)
- Jesuit Church Eucharistic Minister
- Board of Directors, St. Tammany Association of Retarded Citizens
Outside the Office
Peggy’s passion is cooking! She cooks weekly for the unhoused and food insecure in New Orleans. She is involved in the NOLA Community Frig project where refrigerators are sponsored throughout the community where volunteers leave what they can and those struggling take what they need.
If not cooking she is trying to keep up with five grandkids or traveling abroad with her husband enjoying all types of foods and drinks!