The Firm
About
Blackthorne & Vale was established in 1991 by William Blackthorne and Cecelia Vale, two litigators who shared a conviction that the practice of law was most meaningful when it truly changed the trajectory of a client's position.
In the decades since, the firm has grown from a two-partner practice to a twenty-two attorney institution representing some of the most significant commercial interests in the country. Through every phase of growth, we have maintained the discipline that defines us: refusing to accept more work than we can handle well, and never diluting our standard of preparation.
Our clients include publicly traded corporations navigating securities litigation, private equity firms managing complex deal disputes, financial institutions defending regulatory actions, and individual executives facing career-defining legal challenges. What they share is not a sector or a size — it is the stakes involved and the standard they require.
Over thirty years, we have represented clients in matters spanning every major commercial sector and venue, from federal district courts and the Second Circuit to international arbitration tribunals and regulatory bodies across the country.
We prepare every matter as if it will be litigated fully, regardless of how it ultimately resolves. This discipline — the willingness to invest in thorough preparation before anyone asks for it — is the foundation of every result we achieve.
We believe clients are best served by honest, direct assessment rather than by counsel that tells them what they want to hear. We are advisors first, advocates second — and the quality of our advice comes from its accuracy.
We accept fewer clients than we could, and we represent them better as a result. Every matter receives the direct involvement of senior attorneys. This is a deliberate decision, and one we protect rigorously.
Confidentiality is not merely a professional obligation for us — it is a cultural commitment. Clients trust us with information that defines their business, their reputation, and in some cases their freedom. We treat that trust accordingly.
We are not structured for volume. We are structured for consequence. The way we organize our practice — the partners we hire, the matters we accept, the standards we hold — reflects a single purpose: to be the most effective legal counsel available for matters where the outcome truly matters.
Begin a ConversationPartners are not supervisors here — they are practitioners. Every client engages directly with the attorney leading their matter, not a team of associates they've never met.
Even in transactional and advisory contexts, we approach client matters with the mindset of a litigator — because the decisions made in boardrooms and conference rooms often end up in courts.
We do not hedge assessments to protect client feelings or firm relationships. You will receive our honest view of your position, your options, and your likely outcomes — delivered clearly and professionally.
The culture of the firm today reflects the same principles on which it was founded. Growth has not diluted our practice; if anything, the reputation we've built has allowed us to be more selective.
We welcome inquiries from prospective clients who are navigating consequential matters. All initial consultations are strictly confidential.
No obligation. Confidential inquiry.