About Valerie

Valerie T. Schexnayder is a seasoned attorney with more than 34 year’s experience representing large and small businesses, insurance companies and individuals in litigation. 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, a founding partner of a small firm. Additionally, she litigated major cases for an international corporation.

She received a BBA degree 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 in 2017. She subsequently complete mediator training with the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School in 2024.


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

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.
Experienced in all phases of litigation including discovery, client consultations, case evaluation, budgets, strategy, motions, settlement negotiations, trials, and appellate practice.

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. Participated in numerous panel firm audits with the national Audit team  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.   Received Zurich Bronze Awards for outstanding work.  Directed pre-suit investigations to preserve evidence and proactively represent clients. Participated in internal Staff Legal Audits.  Participated in Major Case Roundtables. Mentored younger staff attorneys. Designated Major case attorney for the Baton Rouge area. 

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

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.


Education

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

Juris Doctor


Loyola University, New Orleans, LA

Bachelor of Business Administration, Major: Accounting                     


Memberships & Community Involvement

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 Foundation,

  • Chair 2020- Present                           

  •  Junior League of Baton Rouge         2010-Present                     

  • Chief Financial Officer 2018-2019

  •  Policy Governance Chair 2017-2018

  •   Placement Co-Chair 2016-2017


ACCESS TO JUSTICE DISTINGUISHED PRO BONO FELLOW              

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

Louisiana State Bar Association

  • Board of Governors 2017-2020;

  • Editorial Board 2021-Present

  • Budget Committee   2018-2020

  • Access to Justice Commission, 2018-2020

  • 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

 Federal Bar Association

  • Continuing Legal Education Committee – 2000 to 2005

  • Young Lawyers Division, Second Board Distric

Louisiana Bar Foundation Fellow 1999

  • Chair, Young Lawyers Division CLE 1998;

Louisiana State Bar Assistant Examiner

  • Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure, 2003 -Present

About Valerie

Education

Education

  • Schexnayder Mediator 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.

  • 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. Experienced in all phases of litigation including discovery, client consultations, case evaluation, budgets, strategy, motions, settlement negotiations, trials, and appellate practice.

  • Description text goes here
  • Schexnayder Mediator 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.

  • 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. Experienced in all phases of litigation including discovery, client consultations, case evaluation, budgets, strategy, motions, settlement negotiations, trials, and appellate practice.

  • Description text goes here
  • Schexnayder Mediator 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.

  • 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. Experienced in all phases of litigation including discovery, client consultations, case evaluation, budgets, strategy, motions, settlement negotiations, trials, and appellate practice.

  • Description text goes here

Memberships & Community Involvement

  • 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

  • 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. Experienced in all phases of litigation including discovery, client consultations, case evaluation, budgets, strategy, motions, settlement negotiations, trials, and appellate practice.

    • Board of Governors 2017-2020;

    • Editorial Board 2021-Present

    • Budget Committee   2018-2020

    • Access to Justice Commission, 2018-2020

    • 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

Associated Memberships


About Valerie

Experience


Schexnayder Mediation Services, LLC
Schexnayder Mediator 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.

Education

Associated Memberships


  • Schexnayder Mediator 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.

  • 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. Experienced in all phases of litigation including discovery, client consultations, case evaluation, budgets, strategy, motions, settlement negotiations, trials, and appellate practice.

  • Description text goes here

Valerie T. Schexnayder is a seasoned attorney with more than 34 year’s experience representing large and small businesses, insurance companies and individuals in litigation. 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, a founding partner of a small firm. Additionally, she litigated major cases for an international corporation.


She received a BBA degree 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 in 2017. She subsequently complete mediator training with the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School in 2024.

  • Schexnayder Mediator 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.

  • 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. Experienced in all phases of litigation including discovery, client consultations, case evaluation, budgets, strategy, motions, settlement negotiations, trials, and appellate practice.

  • Description text goes here