Transcript
ESTELLE JOY MUNN, ESQ.
Jersey City, New Jersey 07305
Cell: (201) 306-1433
[email protected] & https://www.linkedin.com/in/estellejmunn
EXECUTIVE PROFILE
Detail-oriented, conscientious and organized Business Leader with more than 15 years of achievement as a Senior
Counsel looking to transition career and areas of expertise from the courtroom into the corporate sector and business side
of law. Natural leader, skilled arbitrator and mediator who excels at bringing out the best in clients and employees.
Thrives in dynamic environments and quickly adapts to the ever-changing demands of the business and legal field.
Customer-focused, extensive experience in profit and loss management, risk management, litigation, conflict resolution,
tort actions, insurance law, insurance regulations, public policy commercial and personal injury law. Expertise includes
analytical skills to provide legal advice, strategic planning, negotiating and support to meet the needs of the client.
Self-motivated, driven, works effectively with a cross-functional team and welcoming to diversity to successfully
achieve the goals for the business and client.
Project management
P&L management
Business process improvement
Legal implications knowledge
Human resources management
Performance tracking and evaluation
Business management methodology
Employee engagement
Exceptional negotiator
Practiced in litigation and contracts
Inter-governmental and legislative relations
Local government background
Public Policy background
Litigation management
Conflict resolution
Defense strategies and Critical thinking
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Appointed to the New Jersey Supreme Court's Committee on Complementary Dispute Resolution for the
2011-2015 terms
Appointed to the Board of Directors for the Garden State Bar Association for the 2012-2015 terms
Appointed to the New Jersey Supreme Court's Ethics Committee on Fee Arbitration for the 2009 -2013 terms
Appointed to the New Jersey State Bar Association's Diversity Committee
Published articles of successful trials reported in Verdict Search and the New Jersey Law Journal.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
GEICO
West Orange, NJ
10/2010 to Current
Senior Litigation Counsel
Providing legal counsel for first and third-party insurance defense matters, regulatory matters, and coverage
issues.
Handles defenses for commercial lines and No Fault defenses for personal lines; automobiles and Homeowners.
Participates in the development and interpretation of policies.
Collaborates with and oversee matters handled by outside counsel in over 150 cases.
Negotiates settlement of cases through mediation, stipulation, arbitration and motion practice resulting in savings
to the client of an estimated $750,000-$1million annually.
Studies all aspects of quasi-judicial bodies to determine ramifications for cases.
Manages all in house litigation matters from initial pleading through appeal as needed.
Conducting 15-20 first chair civil trials annually to verdict, court appearances, drafting legal pleading and briefs,
conducting examinations under oaths, non expert and expert depositions, and maintenance of individual litigation
files.
Selecting jurors, and meeting judges during the course of a trial.
Extensive arbitration and motion practice in the areas of insurance defense and personal injury.
Knowledge of orthopedic, neurological and traumatic injuries.
Supervises junior attorneys and staff in their trial preparation and development.
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NEW JERSEY SUPERIOR COURT OF ESSEX COUNTY
Newark, NJ
06/2009 to Current
Civil Arbitrator
Arbitrating active cases, by making determinations of liability and damages for attorneys and litigants who are
participating in Court mandatory early dispute resolution, resulting in 20-30% reduction in backlog.
Initiating dialog between all parties involved in the case.
Explaining the legal process to each client and answering questions to help ease concerns.
TRAVELERS
Morris Plains, NJ
06/1998 to 07/2010
Senior Counsel
Litigation counsel for Travelers, Travelers of New Jersey, First Trenton Indemnity Company and their
subsidiaries.
Provided legal counsel for first and third-party insurance defense matters, regulatory matters, and coverage
issues.
Handled defenses for construction, commercial lines and No Fault defenses for personal lines; automobiles and
Homeowners.
Evaluated data involving assets, income, liabilities, expenditures and surpluses assisted with preventing over an
estimated $400,000 in overcharges.
Defended over 100 first and third-party insurance claims for construction, commercial and personal lines
annually.
Developed detailed litigation strategies for 100-150 cases annually.
Offered extensive case status explanations to each client.
Conceptualized and coordinated bi-yearly "in house" as well as court settlement days resulting in savings to the
client of an estimated $750,000-$2million annually.
Supervised, facilitated and conducted 3-4 training sessions for claim adjusters, management and staff annually
on the trends in the law, No-Fault, medical procedures, and billing.
Conducted 10-15 first chair civil trials to verdict annually.
Appeared and argued before the Appellate Court.
Mediated civil cases, drafted legal briefs and pleading, conducted examinations under oaths, non -expert and
expert witness depositions, and maintained individual litigation files.
Drafted all necessary motions relevant to each case.
Proposed and drafted standard jury instructions.
Appeared for status conferences and settlement conferences.
Strategically cross-examined witnesses in court.
Explained the legal process to each client and answered questions to help ease concerns.
Initiated dialog between all parties involved in the case.
Propounded discovery documents such as form interrogatories.
Drafted and amended complaints.
Conducted legal research and facts investigation for case litigation.
Selected jurors, argued motions and met judges during the course of a trial.
Supervised trial team in their performance, work flow, trial preparation and development.
Knowledge of orthopedic, neurological and traumatic injuries.
CITY OF JERSEY CITY CORPORATION COUNSEL
Jersey City, NJ
06/1995 to 06/1998
Attorney
Advised and addressed the legal concerns presented by the Mayor, City Council members, Corporation Counsel
and constituents.
Advised the Mayor and City Council on the legal implications of policy initiatives.
Addressed strategic issues of public policy.
Negotiated labor contracts.
Defended the City in litigation such as Civil Rights actions and tort claims.
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Initiated affirmative environmental claims against polluters.
Analyzed data to test compliance with all legal reporting regulations.
Provided advisory opinions on compliance with applicable laws, regulations, rules, and municipal codes as well
as organized and conducted legal research, prepared legal memorandum and appellant and summary judgment
briefs, and drafted City Resolutions.
Studied all aspects of quasi-judicial bodies to determine ramifications for cases.
Filed 5-10 appeals in state and federal courts of appeal.
Conducted legal research and facts investigation for case litigation.
WINKLER, BEVACQUA & SIMMONS, P.C
Newark, NJ
01/1995 to 06/1995
Law Clerk
Drafted entertainment service contracts, real estate transaction agreements including sale and leaseback
agreements.
Prepared bankruptcy petitions, criminal and civil pleadings, motions and Orders to Show Causes.
Prepared trial and appellant briefs.
NEW JERSEY ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE
Newark, NJ
01/1995 to 06/1995
Pro Bono Law Clerk
Assisted in the initial investigation of LAD and FMLA discrimination claims.
Aided with the preparation of verified complaints for filing with the DCR.
Managed and performed legal research and writing, in addition to preparing trial and appellant briefs.
EDUCATION
JURIS DOCTORATE
Seton Hall University School of Law, Newark, NJ, USA
Activities: American Trial Lawyers Association, Women's Law Forum, Appellant Moot Court Competition Finalist.
1996
1993
BACHELOR OF ARTS: POLITICAL SCIENCE AND ECONOMICS
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Dean's List, Advisory Board to Dean's Council, Co-Chair of Academic Forum Committee, Chair-Woman of Epsilon
Omega Phi Honor Society, Golden Award in Statistics, Academic Scroll of Merit, Rotary International, Student
Government Association, Studied abroad in Tokyo, Japan.
BAR ADMISSION: New Jersey and United States District Court of New Jersey
PERSONAL INTERESTS
Mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters since 2008
Featured on the Lifetime Television Network celebrating Extraordinary Women in 2002
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
New Jersey State Bar Association
New Jersey State Bar Associations Women in the Profession Committee
Essex County Civil Arbitration Committee
Essex County Bar Association
Hudson County Inns of Court
Hudson County Bar Association
Garden State Bar Association.