Concepcion Montoya is a trial lawyer who focuses her practice in the areas of consumer and class action litigation. In addition, Ms. Montoya practices in the areas of legal malpractice defense, employment litigation. commercial litigation and insurance litigation.

Formerly Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Special Federal Litigation Division of the City of New York, Ms. Montoya is experienced in all aspects of litigation, including court appearances, client conflict issues, client interviews, case strategies, pleadings, document discovery, depositions, motion practice, oral argument, settlement negotiations and mediation. She also has extensive pre-trial experience, including preparation of joint pre-trial orders, questions for voir dire, jury charges and verdict sheets; preparation and argument of motions in limine; preparation of witnesses; and creation of trial strategies. During trial Ms. Montoya has delivered opening statements and summations and has examined witnesses both directly and under cross-examination.

Ms. Montoya’s jury trials, all of which resulted in defense verdicts, include the following:

• Nimely v. City of New York, 98 Civ. 6925, before the Honorable Charles R. Wolle.
• Lee v. City of New York, 00 Civ. 3181, before the Honorable John P. Gleeson.
• Rogers v. City of New York, 00 Civ. 5903, before the Honorable Denny Chin, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York.
• Santos v. City of New York, 00 Civ. 4533, before the Honorable Harold Baer, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York.
• Robinson v. Trow, 99-CV-0060, before the Honorable Jack Weinstein, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York.

Her published decisions include:

• Foy v. City of New York, 03 Civ. 7318, before the Honorable Harold Baer, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York. Motion to dismiss granted.
• Almonte v. City of New York, 03-CV-5078, before the Honorable Allyn Ross, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York. Motion for summary judgment granted.
• Willis v. City of New York, 02 Civ. 5932, before the Honorable Gerald Lynch, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York. Motion of summary judgment granted.
• Lovelace v. City of New York, 02-CV-5398, before the Honorable Frederic Block. Partial summary judgment granted.  
• Obilo v. Giuliani, 01-CV-5118, before the Honorable David G. Trager, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York. Motion to dismiss granted.
• Arias-Hernandez v. Wells, 01 Civ. 4736, before the Honorable Michael B. Mukasey. Partial summary judgment denied.
• Boomer v. Grant, 00 Civ. 4709 and Boomer v. Lanigan, 00 Civ. 5540, before the Honorable Denise Cote, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York. Partial summary judgment awarded to defendants.

Ms. Montoya joined Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in August 2005. Previously she was an assistant corporation counsel for five years in the Special Federal Litigation Division of the Office of the Corporation Counsel of the City of New York, where she defended the City and its municipal employees in federal civil rights actions.

During her tenure with the Corporation Counsel, Ms. Montoya received the “Legal Rookie of the Year 2000-2001 Award” for demonstration of outstanding performance, promise, dedication, a solid work ethic, constructive attitude and willingness to contribute to a positive work environment. In 2004, she received the “Municipal Affairs Award” for outstanding achievement in the New York City Law Department, from the Municipal Affairs Committee of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York.

Prior to graduating from law school, Ms. Montoya was a summer associate with Farrell Fritz, P.C. in Uniondale, New York; and an intern with the Center for Democracy Studies as well as the Federal Litigation Clinic of BLS Legal Services Corp.

In addition to her other law school achievements, Ms. Montoya was the top finalist for the Joan Offner Touval Scholarship (Best Brief, First Year Class). She was a Dean’s Merit Scholar and a Fellow of the Edward V. Sparer Public Interest Program. During her graduate studies Ms. Montoya was Chair of Asian & Asian-American Women in Theology and Ministry, and Founder of the Asian Women’s Caucus. As an undergraduate, she was a University Trustee Scholar and a member of the Political Science Honors Program. Ms. Montoya was President of the NYU Parliamentary Debate Council.

Ms. Montoya is an Associate of the Federal Bar Council American Inn of Court. In addition, she is a member of the Litigation Committee of the Asian American Bar Association.

She is fluent in Tagalog, and reads Spanish. Ms. Montoya’s publications include:

• “Living in the Shadows: The Undocumented Immigrant Experience of Filipinos,” Filipino-Americans: Transformation and Identity, ed. Maria P.P. Root, Sage Publications, April 1997.
• “The Asian Principle of Self-Negation and the Christian Ethic of Love: A Buddhist-Christian Encounter,” Women and World Religions, Asia Pacific Women’s Studies Journal, Vol, 5, Philippines: Institute of Women’s Studies, 1995.

Her presentations include:

• “When Words Get in the Way: FDCPA Claims Based on Collection Letters,” Lorman Education Services, live audio conference, November 2011.
• “The Trial of Tokyo Rose Reenactment,” The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association 2011 Northeast Regional Conference, Stamford, Connecticut, June 2011.
• “Ethics and E-Discovery: Common Issues, Hidden Problems,” WestLegalEdcenter live webcast, February 2010.
• “False Arrest, Malicious Prosecution and Excessive Force,” CLE Instructor, Corporation Counsel of the City of New York, 2003 and 2004.

Ms. Montoya is a past member of the Filipino Civil Rights Advocates (FILCRA).