Practice areas: Insurance Coverage, Personal Injury; view more
Licensed in Texas since: 2004
Education: Loyola Law School Los Angeles
Languages spoken: English, Gujarati
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2021 - 2026 Details
Working from Raval Trial Law in Houston, Texas, Amar Raval focuses his practice on insurance litigation, including matters like disability insurance claims, life insurance claims, health insurance claims, and bad faith insurance litigation. Additionally, he represents clients in personal injury claims and ERISA cases. Serving clients around Texas, he has vigorously advocated for several clients over his two-decade career.
Over the years, Mr. Raval has fought for his clients against every major insurance company in presuit appeals and litigation in state and federal courts. He has thorough experience in negotiating and has obtained suitable compensation for his clients. Committed to protecting his clients' rights, he relentlessly fights insurance companies for benefits they are entitled to. Most notably, he contributed to a decision that will impact millions of Fifth Circuit residents who rely on ERISA plans for medical care and retirement security.
Graduating from Houston Christian University with a bachelor’s degree in history and political science, Mr. Raval pursued his legal studies at Loyola Law School. As a part of the Byrne Trial Advocacy team in law school, he earned early exposure to trial advocacy. Upon earning his Juris Doctor in 2003, he was admitted to practice in California and, the following year, in Texas. He is further admitted to appear before the U.S. District Court for the District of Texas, the U.S. District Court for the Central and Northern Districts of California, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Mr. Raval has served on various committees and associations. Currently serving as President-Elect of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association, he has also served on the Asian American Bar Association of Houston and the South Asian Bar Association of Houston’s Board of Directors. His professional caliber garnered him several accolades, including the Best Lawyers Under 40 Award by the State Bar of Texas Asian Pacific Interest Section and recognition by The Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation. He is AV Preeminent* peer-review rated through Martindale-Hubbell and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Insurance Coverage, Personal Injury - General: PlaintiffFocus areas
Bad Faith Insurance, Personal Injury - Plaintiff
- 80% Insurance Coverage
- 20% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 2003, California
Professional Webpage: https://ravaltriallaw.com/about/amar-raval/
Bar / Professional Activity
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Northern District of California
- United States District Court for the Central District of California
- United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- State Bar of Texas, Litigation Section, Social Media Committee, 2020
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- Texas, 2004
- Secretary/Treasurer, Houston Trial Lawyers Association, 2025
- Asian American Bar Association of Houston, Board Member, 2022
- Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Board member Diversity and Community Outreach
- State Bar of Texas, Asian Pacific Interest Section, Chair, 2021
- American Bar Association Solo, Small Firm, and General Practice Division, Diversity Fellow, 2019
- State Bar of Texas, Asian Pacific Interest Section, Vice Chair, 2019
- State Bar of Texas, Asian Pacific Interest Section, 2017
- State Bar of Texas, Asian Pacific Interest Section, Treasurer, 2018
- California Bar, 2003
- Texas Bar College, 2013
- State Bar of Texas, Diversity in the Profession Committee Chair 2023-2024 Vice Chair 2021-2023
- South Asian Bar Association of Houston, 2011-present Secretary 2013-14 Treasurer 2014-15 President-Elect 2015-16 President 2016-17, 2011
- Houston Trial Lawyers Association, 2006
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Dwyer v. UnitedHealthcare Inc. Co., 115 F4th. 640 (5th Cir. 2024), ERISA health insurance claim in which Fifth Circuit ruled in favor of client, set forth Rules of the Road that govern ERISA claims, and remanding to District Court to award all past due benefits, interest, and attorneys’ fees. Served as local counsel., 2024
- Represented client in life insurance claim and was able to successfully recover more than $500,000 on claim in less than 90 days, 2025
- Represented client in Unum long term disability claim where issue was if client was disabled by injury or illness. Filed successful appeal with Unum, entitling client to lifetime disability benefits., 2025
- Represented client in long term disability claim. Lawsuit involved claims for breach of contract and violations of Texas Insurance Code. Case settled for $1.5Million before trial., 2025
- Represented claimant in health insurance denial regarding whether treatment was medically necessary. Settled claim favorably with insurer agreeing to pay all of Mr. Raval's attorneys' fees., 2019
- Represented client in long term disability claim with Hartford. Filed successful appeal, entitled to client to ongoing disability benefits., 2025
- McFadden v. American Financial Security Life Insurance Company, Harris County 157th Civil District Court. Won jury trial getting reimbursement for client on denied health insurance claim, plus 20x damages in attorneys’ fees due to insurance company’s tactic to delay, deny, and defend the claim., 2025
- Represented homeowners in lawsuit against former contractor. Bench trial led to seven figure judgment on breach of contract, violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and fraud., 2024
- Represented client in health insurance claim. Once suit was filed, insurance company retroactively covered claim, reimbursed client, and paid Mr. Raval’s attorneys’ fees., 2023
- Represented client in Cigna/New York Life long term disability claim. The internal appeal that Mr. Raval filed convinced Cigna/New York Life to reverse its wrongful denial. Client is back on claim, 2023
- Represented client in Hartford long term disability claim. The internal appeal that Mr. Raval filed convinced Hartford to reverse its wrongful denial. Client is back on claim, 2023
- Represented client in long term disability claim. Once suit was filed, insurance company paid all past due benefits, put client back on claim, paid interest, and Mr. Raval’s attorneys’ fees, 2023
- Long Term Disability claim. Once suit was filed, insurance company paid all past due benefits, put client back on claim, and paid interest and Mr. Raval’s attorneys’ fees., 2022
- Yi v. Allstate, Accidental Death insurance claim regarding whether insured’s death after contracting COVID-19 was an accident or disease. Case settled following litigation., 2021
- Katherine P. v. Humana Health Plan of Texas, Inc.: Argued before 5th Circuit regarding how to apply the de novo standard of review in an ERISA case involving denial of health insurance benefits for serious mental illness. Link to oral argument by Mr. Raval:http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/OralArgRecordings/19/19-50276_2-5-2020.MP3More information about the case and opinion can be found here: https://www.healthpayerspecialist.com/c/2756783/338223/humana_suffers_legal_setback_eating_disorder_case_texas?referrer_module=issueHeadline&module_order=4Commentary about both Katherine P. v. Humana and Ariana M. v. Humana can be found here: https://www.healthpayerspecialist.com/pc/2648983/320683?all=true&referrer_module=article, 2020
- Benson v. MetLife, ERISA life insurance claim regarding whether client was still eligible for waiver of his life insurance premiums because he was disabled. Claim settled following litigation., 2019
- Humana Health Plan, Inc. v. Nguyen, 785 F.3d 1023 (5th 2015): 5th Circuit reviewed a matter involving ERISA subrogation rights and clarified the rights between Plan Administrators and ERISA fiduciaries.Court remanded case to District Court to determine if Plaintiff had standing to pursue subrogation claim against Plan participant., 2015
- Benson v. Hartford, ERISA Long Term Disability claim where Hartford made offer of judgment awarding all past due benefits and reinstated the claim for continuing disability status., 2012
- Represented claimant in confidential arbitration between former husband and wife over post-divorce asset distribution. Settled favorably on eve of hearing., 2017
- Represented claimant in health insurance denial regarding whether treatment was medically necessary. Settled claim favorably with insurer agreeing to pay all of Mr. Raval's attorneys' fees., 2019
- Ariana v. Humana Health Plan of Texas, Inc., 884 F.3d 246 (5th Cir. 2018): 5th Circuit overturned 26 years of jurisprudence stemming from Pierre v. Conn. Gen. Life Ins. Co., 932 F.2d 1552 (5th Cir. 1991) and concurred with every other Circuit that applies the de novo standard of review to both legal and factual determinations, thus paving the way for the Texas ban on discretionary clauses to trigger de novo review of benefit denials of health and disability benefit claims. Link to panel oral argument by Mr. Raval:http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/OralArgRecordings/16/16-20174_2-9-2017.mp3, 2018
- Prashant v. Liberty Life Assurance Company of Boston, et al, No. 4:16-CV-1459, 2017 WL 10109450 (S.D. Tex. Feb. 22, 2017): Court ruled that the Texas ban on discretionary clauses in insurance policies is enforceable because Texas should be able to regulate the insurance policies sold to its citizens., 2017
- Hamsher v. North Cypress Medical Center Operating Company, Limited, 620 Fed. Appx. 236 (5th Cir. 2015): 5th Circuit reviewed an appeal from former nurse insured by North Cypress over whether her employer abused its discretion in denying her health insurance claim. Court overruled District Court’s denial and granted summary judgment for Hamsher., 2015
Videos
- This videos summarizes ERISA short and long term disability claims, ERISA Long & Short Disability Insurance Claims, Law, 2012
- This video briefly answers some common questions clients ask about ERISA long term disability claims, Attorney answers to common ERISA claim questions, Law, 2012
- This video briefly discusses some of the inherent unfairness ERISA presents to employees, ERISA is Unfair to Employees, Law, 2012
- Video presentation of "ERISA Pitfalls: What to Know About ERISA Claims, Appeals, and Litigation" to the Houston Bar Association in 2018., "ERISA Pitfalls: What to Know About ERISA Claims, Appeals, and Litigation, Houston Bar Association, 2018
Pro bono / Community Service
- Texas Bar Foundation Life Fellow, 2018
- Chinmaya Mission Houston, 10th grade teacher, 2016 – 2018
- Bellaire Board of Adjustment, 2013 – 2017
Educational Background
- Houston Baptist University, Bachelor of Science, Major: History and Political Science, Honors: summa cum laude, 2000
White Papers
- Many times, diverse lawyers can feel like they are swimming out of their depth when they attend networking events. This article discusses what a diverse lawyer can do to master the art of self-promotion., Building a Practice: Mastering the Art of Self-Promotion for Diverse Lawyers, Law, 2020
- Article in the American Bar Association Solo, Small Firm, and General Practice Division, 2020., "Building a Practice: Mastering the Art of Self Promotion for Diverse Lawyers", Law, 2020
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- An interactive discussion of best practices and important considerations in mediating employee benefits cases from the perspectives of a mediator as well as defense and plaintiff-side counsel. Topics will include essential pre-mediation preparation, case evaluation, timing of mediation, mediator selection, briefs, multi-party configurations, types of settlements (e.g., money, restoration of plan assets, annuity or structured settlement), attorneys’ fees, and mediation techniques., Panelist, Mediating Employee Benefits Cases, American Bar Association TIPS, 2024
- Presentation on the applicability of ERISA in various practice areas, Speaker, ERISA is for Everyone: Catch the Tiger by its Tail, State Bar Of Texas Asian Pacific Interest Section Conference, 2023
- This talk, co-presented with trial lawyer Brian Humphrey, discussed the 2023 changes to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and how they compare to the Texas Rules, which have been updated several times over the last few years., Co-presenter, Recent Changes to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and How They Compare to the Texas Rules, Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Law, 2024
- State Bar of Texas, Asian Pacific Interest Section, May 2021, Moderator, “Courts During and After COVID”, State Bar Of Texas, Asian Pacific Interest Section, 2021
- Personal injury cases often intersect with other areas of law. This presentation dealt with the basics of personal injury, the role of insurance, and how employment and immigration issues come into play., Presenter, What to Know About Personal Injury Claims, Houston Bar Association, 2019
- This expert examined the continually evolving state of the law surrounding the standard of review and its impact on discovery in ERISA disability cases. The panel provided perspectives from in-house counsel, the defense bar, and the plaintiff's bar., Panelist, Recent Developments in ERISA Disability Benefits Litigation: Standard of Review and Discovery, American Bar Association TIPS, Legal, 2021
- Presented "What Employment Lawyers Should Know About ERISA" to the Houston chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association., CLE speaker, "What Employment Lawyers Should Know About ERISA, National Employment Lawyers Association, 2020
- Panel speaker who co-presented on "Use of Social Media in Life Insurance Claims" at the 46th Annual Midwinter Symposium on Insurance and Employee Benefits, Panel Speaker, "Use of Social Media in Life Insurance Claims", Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section, American Bar Association, 2020
- “Hazards, Hurdles, and Pitfalls: How to Avoid Malpractice in ERISA Claims”, Houston Northwest Bar Association, 2017, Speaker, “Hazards, Hurdles, and Pitfalls: How to Avoid Malpractice in ERISA Claims”, Houston Northwest Bar Association, 2017
- "ERISA Pitfalls: What to Know About ERISA Claims, Appeals, and Litigation", Houston Bar Association, 2018, Speaker, ERISA Pitfalls: What to Know About ERISA Claims, Appeals, and Litigation, Houston Bar Association, 2018
- “Hazards, Hurdles, and Pitfalls: How to Avoid Malpractice in ERISA Claims”, Houston Trial Lawyers Association, 2015, Speaker, “Hazards, Hurdles, and Pitfalls: How to Avoid Malpractice in ERISA Claims”, Houston Trial Lawyers Association, 2015
- "Attorneys' Fees: Setting, Earning, and Keeping Fees in law Firms", Houston Young Lawyers Solo/Small Firm Committee, Speaker, "Attorneys' Fees: Setting, Earning, and Keeping Fees in law Firms", Houston Young Lawyers Solo/Small Firm Committee, 2018
- “Amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure”, South Asian Bar Association of Houston, 2016, Panelist, “Amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure”, South Asian Bar Association Of Houston, 2016
- "Substantive Legal Skills: Litigation Focus", Houston Young Lawyers Association Boot Camp, 2018, Panelist, "Substantive Legal Skills: Litigation Focus", Houston Young Lawyers Association Boot Camp, 2018
Honors
- Best Lawyer Under 40 Award, State Bar of Texas Asian Pacific Interest Section, Best Lawyer Under 40 Award, State Bar of Texas Asian Pacific Interest Section, 2018
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum, 2026
- AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale Hubbell
- Texas Super Lawyers, 2021 – 2025
- Top ERISA Services Provider by Manage HR, 2023
- Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® for Commercial Litigation, 2024
Industry Groups
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment claims
- Life Insurance claims
- Short and Long Term Disability claims
Selections
6 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2021 - 2026
