LAURIE J. ELZA
Associate
Telephone: 214.651.3384
Facsimile: 214.747.0942
lelza@macdonalddevin.com
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Education/Professional Background

St. Mary’s School of Law, Juris Doctor 1993

University of North Texas, BA in Accounting Control Systems 1989





Admitted to Practice

Texas, 1993

U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern, and Eastern Districts


LAURIE J. ELZA

Laurie Elza has represented insurance companies, businesses and individuals in construction, commercial and personal injury matters. The primary focus of her practice has been litigation, including personal injury, contract disputes, product liability claims, and construction defect claims. She has represented insurance carriers first-party and third-party litigation and has provided coverage opinions to insurance companies regarding policy interpretation and application and has advised clients on additional insured and indemnity issues.

Laurie represents contractors, subcontractors and owners in construction matters, including contract formation, interpretation and enforcement, delay claims and filing/preservation of liens.

Laurie ensures each case is thoroughly evaluated and aggressively pursued to the resolution best suited for the client.


Representative Experience

  • Obtained a defense verdict for a national trucking company in a case in which the plaintiffs claimed the trucking company's tractor and trailer struck their vehicle, causing personal injuries to both plaintiffs and their infant. The jury found no negligence on the part of the trucking company. Tarrant County, Texas
  • Successfully defended a golf club designer and importer in a products liability case involving the death of a 12-year-old boy in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The plaintiffs sued the manufacturer, the designer and importer of the golf club. The jury exonerated the designer and importer, finding that the golf club was not defective.
  • Obtained the dismissal of an employer in a toxic exposure matter, asserting Louisiana Worker's Comp law as a complete defense. Dallas County, Texas
  • Obtained a directed verdict in a Dram Shop action on behalf of national restaurant chain after a week and a half of trial. Dallas County, Texas
  • Obtained a defense verdict on gross negligence claims for the owner operator of an 18-wheeler involved in a serious accident. Tarrant County, Texas
  • Obtained a defense verdict for an apartment complex on a premises defect claim. Dallas County, Texas
  • Obtained a defense verdict with co-counsel for a national petroleum company on a breach of contact/negligence case. Jim Wells County, Texas
  • Obtained a defense verdict with co-counsel for an international agricultural manufacturing company in a product defect case. Kleberg County, Texas
  • Obtained a defense verdict with co-counsel for a cattle company on a case involving a truck and automobile collision which resulted in a death. Starr County, Texas
  • Obtained a dismissal of a construction defect case filed by the general contractor against the paving contractor. Dallas County, Texas
  • Co-wrote an appellate brief in support of the trial court’s order of summary judgment. The appeal to overturn the order was later denied.

Professional Affiliations

Dallas Bar Association
   2007 Chair of the Pro Bono Committee
   2006 Vice Chair, Pro Bono Committee

State Bar of Texas

Texas Association of Defense Counsel

Defense Research Institute

Honors and Recognitions

Selected as a Texas Monthly Rising Star, 2006 click for details

Member of Phi Delta Phi

Recipient, American Jurisprudence Awards in Legal Research and Writing and Consumer Law

Selected Publications and Presentations

Punitive Damages, Dallas Claims Association, March 2010. Click here for a PDF of the presentation.

Co-author of the Texas Chapter of Construction Litigation Desk Reference, A Fifty State Compendium, published by Defense Research Institute, February 2010. Click here for DRI's website to purchase the book or CD.

Presented Application of the “Paid or incurred” Clause, Business and Insurance Litigation Update Conference, October 2009. Click here for a PDF of the presentation.

Effective Use of Rule 167 Offers of Settlement, Dallas Claims Association, August 2006

Presented Where's the Money - Liens and Payment Bonds in Texas to the North Texas Roofers Association, January 2008

Civic and Volunteerism

Served on United Way Priority Needs Grant Process 2009

Served on the 2008 Tort & Insurance Practice Section Community Service Committee for the Dallas Bar Association

Co-Chair of the 2007 Pro Bono Activities Committee for the Dallas Bar Association

Vice Chair of the 2005-2006 Pro Bono Activities Committee for the Dallas Bar Association

Extensive pro bono work through Legal Aid of Northwest Texas

Participation in the South Dallas Legal Clinic through the Dallas Bar Association

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