Gracella Simmons graduated from Louisiana State University School of Law in 1976, where she was a member of the Moot Court Board and Treasurer of the Senior Class.

Subsequent to graduation she served as law clerk to the Honorable Douglas Gonzales in the 19th Judicial District Court. She then served as law clerk to the Honorable Earl Veron in Federal Court in the Western District of Louisiana. From 1978 to 1983 she served as staff attorney for Continental Insurance Company in Baton Rouge. From 1983 to 1994 she was the managing attorney for the Continental Insurance Company staff office in Baton Rouge.

Ms. Simmons is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association, the Baton Rouge Bar Association and the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel.  She currently is on the Executive Committee of the Louisiana Chapter.

Ms. Simmons is admitted to practice in the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana, as well as the United States Supreme Court.

Ms. Simmons is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, is a former national board member and served as President of the Louisiana chapter of the organization. She regularly is a participant in the Masters in Trial Seminar hosted by this organization.

Ms. Simmons is a former member of the LSBA House of Delegates, the LSBA Special Committee on Malpractice Insurance, and the LSBA Lawyer and Judicial Conduct Committee.  She has sat as Judge Ad Hoc of the Baton Rouge City Court.

Ms. Simmons formerly served on the Board of Directors of the Louisiana State University Museum of Art and on the Board of Directors of Hospice of Baton Rouge.  She currently serves on the Board of Directors of LA-SPCA. She is also a member of the Baton Rouge Rotary Club.

Ms. Simmons is also a certified mediator associated with Perry, Dampf & Associates.

Ms. Simmons serves on the board of the Louisiana Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LSPCA) and the Baton Rouge Symphony.