National Trucking Law Award Renamed in Honor of Robert W. Munley

Marion and Daniel Munley receive national trucking law award renamed in honor of their father and Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys founder, Robert W. Munley

Marion Munley and Daniel W. Munley received the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Trucking Litigation Group’s “Robert W. Munley Award” on Sunday July 12 during the AAJ’s virtual Annual Convention.  Formerly the “Chairman’s Award,” the award was renamed this year in honor of the late Robert W. Munley (1930-2019). The award is presented annually by the Chair of the Trucking Litigation Group to an attorney who has done extraordinary work to further the group’s objectives: educating other lawyers on trucking law matters and contributing to the improvement of highway safety through legal work and advocacy.

A trucking law pioneer

Attorney Jeanmarie Whalen, a partner at the Florida firm Domnick, Cunningham and Whalen and immediate past chair of the Trucking Litigation Group, presented the Munleys with the award renamed in their father’s honor. She said in her remarks, “Robert W. Munley created a lasting legacy through his children to the cause of justice and the protection of the rights of the injured throughout Pennsylvania and the country. He revolutionized the way trial lawyers prosecuted their cases, benefiting the citizens of Pennsylvania and the public at large. As a result of his work, American roadways have been made safer.” The incoming chair of the Trucking Litigation Group, Tim Lange of Benson, Risch and Lange, PLLC in Kentucky, called Robert a “pioneer of trucking law.”

A United States Army veteran of the Korean War and graduate of Temple University School of Law, Robert W. Munley began his law practice in 1959. He was among the first lawyers in the U.S. to specialize in truck accident cases.  During his career, Munley brought hundreds of cases to verdict. His body of work resulted in appellate decisions, some of which transformed American law in the area of the admissibility of trial evidence. His six children all became lawyers; five are now the partners at the firm Robert founded, known today as Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys.

Continuing the legacy of excellence and advocacy for injured victims

Both Daniel and Marion Munley have been active in the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group since it was founded more than 20 years ago. Daniel Munley served as Chair of the Trucking Litigation Group in 2011-2012 and Marion became the first woman Chair of the group in 2018. Both Marion and Daniel have earned board certification in Truck Accident Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy. They have spent decades educating lawyers all over the country on truck accident litigation and advocating for policies that would reduce the number of truck-related injuries and fatalities.