Gachassin Law Firm’s success began with its founder, Nicholas Gachassin, Jr. Nick Jr. was born and raised in New Iberia, Louisiana, and graduated from Catholic High. He attended undergraduate studies at the University of Southwestern Louisiana and law school at Tulane University. Upon admission to the Louisiana bar in 1970 and after practicing with a local firm in Lafayette for the first 7 years of his career, Nick Jr. ventured out to develop his own firm. Initially, Nick Jr.’s practice involved clientele from the oil and gas industry, maritime defense and personal injury. After the oil bust in the 1980’s, Nick Jr. pivoted towards medical malpractice defense and continued to grow the Gachassin Law Firm at a newly constructed office located at 1026 St. John Street in downtown Lafayette, of which he developed. He also served as First Assistant Attorney General for the State of Louisiana from 2004 to 2008 and worked closely with Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco in legal and political matters involved in the recovery from Hurricane Katrina.

Nick Jr.’s son, Nicholas Gachassin, III, began practicing medical malpractice defense, but his true passion was discovered when obtaining his LL.M. in heath law from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Nick III’s vision for complementing existing clients’ malpractice needs with regulatory and transactional matters developed the corporate and regulatory practice for the Gachassin Law Firm. This same vision, dedication and expertise landed Nick III with LHC Group, Inc. where he served as its Executive Vice President and General Counsel from 2019 through 2023, and since he has transitioned into public service when he was recruited by Governor Jeff Landry to serve as Executive Counsel for the Louisiana Department of Health.

As part of Nick III’s transition, Benjamin Gaines assumed the role as the managing partner for the firm in January of 2024. The combined experience of Nick Jr. and Nick III has been absorbed by Ben over the past 13 years practicing in the firm’s corporate practice group. Over this time, Ben graduated from Leadership Lafayette’s Class XXXIV, obtained the distinction of Health Law Specialist, certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specializations, and participated in local service organizations. Ben’s focus remains on growing the firm and serving clients all over Louisiana.