About Valerie

Valerie T. Schexnayder is a seasoned attorney with more than 35 years experience representing large and small businesses, insurance companies and individuals in litigated matters. She has represented clients in a vast array of general casualty litigation, including automobile, transportation/trucking, products liability, premises liability, first party claims, construction defect liability, toxic torts and employment-related practices. She was a partner with a mid-sized firm and a founding partner of a small firm. Additionally, she litigated major cases for an international corporation.

She received a BBA degree in Accounting in 1986 from Loyola University and her JD degree, cum laude, in 1989 from Tulane University Law School. She is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell. She completed mediator training with the Mediation Institute in 2017 . She subsequently completed mediator training at Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation.

Experience

Schexnayder Mediation Services, LLC

 Provides our clients with Mediation services for a wide range of Civil disputes which include that include bodily injury, contracts, maritime, construction defect, property damage, insurance and hurricane claims, professional liability, tort claims, trucking, medical liability, mass torts, environmental and insurance coverage.

Law Office of Mickey S. de Laup, Metairie, LA   2019- 2021, Special Counsel

General Litigation Practice, involving insurance defense, premises liability, auto and trucking liability,
Assessed liability risks for clients and recommended proactive plans to minimize risks.
Evaluated and negotiated claims and lawsuits; Provided legal and risk management advice to clients.

Zurich North America 2007-2016, Senior Trial Attorney, Baton Rouge Office

Provided comprehensive legal counsel for Zurich and its insureds, from initial assignment to trial and appeal, in the area of motor vehicle accidents, (including trucking liability), premises liability, personal injury, construction defect/liability, and general liability.  Successfully handled large exposure, high dollar cases to favorable conclusion.  Negotiated numerous cases at mediations with favorable results. Tried numerous complex and simple matters at the trial level.   Directed pre-suit investigations to preserve evidence and proactively represent clients.

de Laup, Schexnayder and Miranda, Metairie,  LA  2006-2007 Founder and Managing Partner

General Litigation Practice, involving insurance defense, premises liability, auto and trucking liability,
Assessed liability risks for clients and recommended proactive plans to minimize risks.
Evaluated and negotiated claims and lawsuits; Provided legal and risk management advice to clients.

Hailey , McNamara, Hall, Larmann & Papale, 1989-2006, Partner

General Litigation Practice, involving insurance defense, premises liability, auto and trucking liability,
Assessed liability risks for clients and recommended proactive plans to minimize risks.
Evaluated and negotiated claims and lawsuits; Provided legal and risk management advice to clients. Successfully handled large exposure, high dollar cases to favorable conclusion.  Negotiated numerous cases at mediations with favorable results. Tried numerous complex and simple matters at the trial level.   Directed pre-suit investigations to preserve evidence and proactively represent clients.

Education

Tulane University Law School, Cum Laude, New Orleans, LA

Juris Doctor


Loyola University, New Orleans, LA

Bachelor of Business Administration, Major: Accounting           

The Mediation Institute - Mediator training 2017

Program on Negotiation - Harvard Law School 2024 - Mediator Training

Memberships & Community Involvement

Louisiana State Bar Association

  • Secretary, 2023-2025

  • Board of Governors 2017-2020;

  • Editorial Board 2021-Present

  • Budget Committee   2018-2020

  • Access to Justice Commission, 2018-2020; 2024-2026

  • House of Delegates – 1999 to 2005; 2011- 2017; 2022

  • Bar Governance Committee 2001-Present

  • Continuing Legal Education Committee – 2000 to 2005

  • Young Lawyers Division, Second Board District

     Representative – 1996 to 1998

  • Chair, Young Lawyers Division CLE 1998;

  • Recipient, Michaelle P. Wynne Professionalism Award - 1998

Baton Rouge Bar Association 2015- Present

  • Chair, Pro Bono Committee 2022-2024

 Federal Bar Association, New Orleans Chapter

Louisiana Bar Foundation Fellow 1999

Louisiana State Bar Assistant Examiner

  • Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure, 2003 -Present

Community Service Leadership

Capital Area Finance Authority,

  • Board of Directors 2010-Present, Chair 2020- 2022; Vice Chair 2018-2020; Secretary 2015-2018 

  Tiger Athletic Foundation (TAF)

  •   Board of Directors 2019 - Present

The Emerge Center                       

  •     Chair 2020- 2023                         

Junior League of Baton Rouge 2010-Present

  • Chief Financial Officer 2018-2019

  •  Policy Governance Chair 2017-2018

  •   Placement Co-Chair 2016-2017

  • Sustaining Advisor - 2022-2025

Access to Justice Distinguished Pro Bono Fellow     2018         

Appointed by the Louisiana Supreme Court as one of 5 Access to Justice Fellows  - Volunteer                               

  • Collaborated with Stakeholders to expand legal service for Veterans in. Baton Rouge. Organized the first Wills for Veterans program in Louisiana

  • Planned and Organized a legal clinic for Veterans at the Veterans Service Center. Contributed to a successful grant application, which resulted in hiring one attorney to work solely on Veterans Legal issues and host a weekly legal clinic at the Veterans Service Center