Patricia “Katie” Wattigny is a Lafayette-based litigator who represents clients throughout Louisiana in state and federal courts. With 18 years of experience, she focuses her practice on personal injury defense, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation litigation, representing insurers, healthcare providers, and employers in complex disputes.
Katie has significant trial experience at both the state and federal levels, with hands-on experience serving as first or second chair. She helps clients understand the demands and expectations of trial and is prepared to go to trial when it serves her clients’ interests, while understanding that the best resolution may come through negotiation.
From alternative dispute resolution and mediation to depositions and trial strategy, Katie develops pragmatic strategies which are grounded in early case assessment and focused on efficient, favorable resolutions. Her experience also includes appellate oral arguments involving efforts to preserve favorable decisions or to challenge adverse rulings.
Katie previously served as a judicial law clerk in the Ninth Judicial District Court of Rapides Parish and as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Louisiana. She draws on that judicial and governmental experience when advising clients and navigating litigation strategy.
Katie also plays an active role in mentoring early-career lawyers in Acadiana. For the past six years, she has served as a co-team lead for the Acadiana Inn of Court, providing outreach and mentorship to members of the legal community. Katie learned valuable lessons as a young attorney at Galloway and now brings that perspective to her colleagues, contributing to the development of the firm’s litigation team in Lafayette.
Katie was born in Texas, raised in Tennessee, and moved to Louisiana for college and law school. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, running, swimming, supporting LSU football and baseball, and spending time with her husband, David.