James Christopher Munley
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 attorney. Chris has zealously represented of thousands of truck collision, car crash, medical malpractice, and other catastrophic accident victims, winning millions for his clients. A champion of workers’ rights, Chris was recognized as the workers’ compensation Lawyer of the Year, and has been named to the lists of Best Lawyers in America, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, and Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania. 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 and his wife Dr. Maria Yager Munley are the proud parents of two wonderful children.
Honors and Awards
- Named to the Irish Legal 100, 2016
- Listed in “Best Lawyers in America” by the legal guide Best Lawyers
- Named “Lawyer of the Year” for workers’ compensation by Best Lawyers, 2016
- Board Certified Trial Specialist, National Board of Trial Advocates
- Named to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list since 2005
- Named to Top 100 Trial Lawyers in PA by National Trial Lawyers Association
Education
- Oklahoma City University School of Law, Oklahoma City, OK, Juris Doctor, 1994
- Colegio Mayor La Concepcion – Valencia, Spain
- Catholic University of America Washington, DC , Bachelor of Arts, 1990
- Gerry Spence Regional Trial Lawyers College 2002
- Executive Education Certificate, The Ultimate in Trial Advocacy, Harvard University
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:
- 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.