Mr. Vale joined Blue Williams in 1983, becoming a partner in the firm in 1985. For nearly 40 years, he has represented insurance companies and self-insureds. Mr. Vale has served as lead trial counsel in numerous venues and holds an impeccable trial record in these cases. His litigation experience spans numerous areas of insurance defense, including personal injury claims arising on vessels, platforms, rigs and other environments. He has litigated claims relating to construction activities on roads, bridges and other construction sites. In addition, Mr. Vale has represented insurance companies and self-insureds in the defense of construction defect claims, including structural-defect claims, moisture-intrusion claims and roof claims, as well as numerous mold-related claims. He has also handled products liability claims involving a myriad of products. Mr. Vale has defended employers regarding claims brought by employees, either for state or federal workers’ compensation benefits, as well as tort claims, including claims for racial discrimination, sexual discrimination, etc. He has represented insurance carriers with respect to coverage issues relating to CGL policies, builder’s risk policies, business owner’s policies, automobile policies, etc. Mr. Vale has also worked with several insurance companies and their SIU sections in the defense of fraud claims. Mr. Vale was selected to appear in the Super Lawyers Business Edition in 2011 and 2012. He has also been named a 2013 Louisiana Super Lawyer in construction litigation, an honor which he has received in six of the past seven years.