James Christopher Munley is an award-winning plaintiffs’ lawyer who has dedicated his career to fighting for accident victims and their families. As a board-certified civil trial advocate, Chris is widely regarded across the United States as a leading personal injury and truck accident attorney. He has multiple multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements to his name thanks to his diligence and unwavering dedication to his clients.
For his work in truck accident litigation, Chris has been named to the Best Lawyers in America since 2012. He has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer since 2013 and was recently named to the 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers guide. Chris has also been named to the Irish Legal 100 and has received an AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell.
Also a champion of workers’ rights, Chris was recognized as the workers’ compensation Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in America.
Outside of his contributions in courtrooms and negotiation rooms across the United States, Chris is dedicated to improving local Pennsylvania communities. He serves as the chairman of Lackawanna County’s PNC Field, which is home to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders (a New York Yankees AAA Affiliate), the President of the Scranton Club, and a board member for the Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter of the Girl Scouts of America. In addition, he regularly speaks at senior community centers on relevant safety topics.
Chris is the founder of ATLAS LAWYERS Legal Seminars, a conference series that brings together attorneys across the United States to share views on how to manage a thriving law firm in the 21st century.
Chris and his wife Dr. Maria Yager Munley are the proud parents of two children.
truck accident victim who suffered traumatic brain injury
$17,500,000
jury verdict in teens’ death caused by car accident
$8,000,000
family of a Marine who was killed in a truck crash
$3,970,000
fatal truck crash
$3,800,000
seriously injured in a truck accident
$3,000,000
Settlement for Woman misdiagnosed with cancer.
$2,250,000
Settlement for driver of a van involved in accident with a truck.
$1,900,000
Verdict for family injured by 16-year-old-driver.
$1,500,000
Jury verdict against bank for breach of verbal loan agreement.
$1,400,000
Settlement in ER Wrongful Death case.
$1,200,000
Settlement for boy hit by bus at summer camp.
Honors and Awards
Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist, National Board of Trial Advocates
Listed in “Best Lawyers in America” since 2012
Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, 2024
Named “Lawyer of the Year” for Workers’ Compensation-Claimants by Best Lawyers, 2016
AV-Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell
Named to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list since 2005
Named to the Irish Legal 100
Named to Top 100 Trial Lawyers in PA by the National Trial Lawyers
Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association, Top 25
Education
Oklahoma University, School of Law
Oklahoma City, OK, Juris Doctor, 1994
Catholic University of America Washington
DC , Bachelor of Arts, 1990
Gerry Spence Regional Trial Lawyers College
2002
Harvard University
Executive Education Certificate, The Ultimate in Trial Advocacy
Bar Admissions
Pennsylvania
United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Professional Affiliations
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Lackawanna and Luzerne County Bar Associations
Pennsylvania Association for Justice
American Association for Justice
Northeastern Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association
Pennsylvania Association for Justice, Board of Governors
Former Member of Young Lawyers Division Lackawanna Bar Association
Other Achievements
Speaker, Lackawanna Bar Association CLE, “Five Ways to Market Your Firm Without Spending Money,” August 30, 2018
Lackawanna Bar Association Committee Assignments – Fee Dispute Committee, Nominating Committee, Golf Outing Committee
Moderator, Lackawanna County Bar Association Annual Meeting, 1998 Rules of Civil Procedure
Council for Community Affairs, Annual Meeting January 2001
Events
Founded ATLAS Lawyers, a national legal marketing and management seminar series, to provide both legal marketing and practice management advice for small to mid-sized law firms. Past seminars:
May 2022, Las Vegas, NV
October 2019, Myrtle Beach, SC
February 2018, Marriot Biscayne Bay, Miami, FL
April 2015, Hilton Bonnett Creek, Orlando, FL
September 2013, The W Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, FL
April 2013, The Washington Marriott, Washington, D.C.
October 2012, The W Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, FL
October 2011, Historic Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel, Scranton, PA
March 2011, Naples Grand, Naples, FL
February 2010, Naples Grand, Naples, FL
March 2009, The Buena Vista Palace, Disney World, FL
September 2008, The Phoenician, Scottsdale, AZ
February 2008, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Family & Community
Chairman, Multi-Purpose Stadium Authority of Lackawanna County, owner of PNC Field, home of the New York Yankees AAA Affiliate the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders
President, Board of Directors, The Scranton Club
Member, Jeffrey M. Davis Scholarship Award Committee
Board of Directors, Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter Girl Scouts of America
Speaker at Regional Senior Centers on “Identity Theft” on how to avoid becoming a victim and steps to take if you discover your identity has been stolen
Speaker at Regional Senior Centers on the topic “Preparing for Surgery”
Chris is married to Dr. Maria Yager Munley and is the proud father of two children.
Testimonials
Chris Munley represented my dad at a very difficult time with compassion yet in the court room he was the fighter we needed. Chris helped my family during a time of incredible hardship when my dad was hit head on by 2 teenage girls. He took the time to answer all of our questions at any given time when we needed him. He treated my entire family with respect and helped us to get what we deserved. I would recommend Chris Munley to anyone in need of a reliable, determined, and trustworthy attorney.
A Car Accident Client
Chris Munley promised results, and that’s what I got. He was very compassionate and he answered every question I had about my personal injury case. When we couldn’t settle with the insurance company out of court, he was a fighter in the courtroom. Needless to say, we won and I couldn’t be happier with the results.
Patrick, a Personal Injury Client
You can put your trust into Chris Munley. A couple of years ago I got into a car crash and didn’t think I would recover financially. The insurance company had denied my claim and I thought that was that. But thanks to Mr. Munley, I got the money I needed from the insurance company and I was able to get on with my life. Thank you again, Mr. Munley.
A Car Accident Client
I have worked with Chris, and Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, for many years and recommend and endorse him highly. Chris, his firm, and his family, are extremely reputable and knowledgeable Personal Injury Attorneys with excellent character. Their civil litigation experience is exemplary and I will continue to utilize them as referral attorneys whenever possible.
