Attorney Spotlight: Kristina Milone

Attorney Spotlight: Kristina Milone

 

We are excited to introduce New York Partner Kristina Milone! Kristina has extensive experience leading all phases of insurance defense, civil, and government litigation. She has worked on a wide range of high-exposure complex trials and conducted more than 200 depositions. Kristina’s civil defense practice also includes experience with wrongful death claims, products liability, and premises liability lawsuits. Additionally, Kristina defends governmental clients against claims for employment discrimination, as well as general liability and construction and labor law cases for building owners and contractors involving personal injury and property damages claims. Read below to learn more!

 

T&M: Tell us about your legal background?

KM: I started out in public service, working for the Nassau County Attorney’s office, which provided me with a lot of courtroom experience. I moved on to working in the private sector, working for Randy Faust (current Tyson & Mendes New York Managing Partner), who taught me all the ins and outs of litigating high exposure cases around the country.

 

T&M: What drew you to Tyson & Mendes?

KM: There are a few things that drew me to Tyson & Mendes: the firm’s ability to train young attorneys through its trial academy; its endless resources which ensure all attorneys are up-to-date on changes in the law through TM University (monthly CLEs); and the fact that this is a firm that really cares about its employees. When we first sat down with Bob Tyson, he turned to me and asked, “What kind of attorney do you want to be?” He said he and the firm would support me in any way to help meet that goal. No one, let alone an owner of a 300+ employee law firm, has ever asked me that. Additionally, this is a firm that really cares about its clients. Tyson & Mendes has an entire quality control department dedicated to ensuring the firm meets its clients’ needs.       

 

T&M: Compared to other firms you have worked for, what makes Tyson & Mendes so unique?

KM: Tyson & Mendes is the unicorn of law firms. In addition to truly caring about its employees, management is extremely transparent. Every other Tuesday, the firm hosts “Bagels with Bob,” which is a meeting with all attorneys during which the firm goes over the status of each office, new clients and cases, new opportunities that attorneys are able to get involved with, and also conduct a question-and-answer session with firm leadership, to name a few. I really appreciate that the firm feels that it is important to keep everyone informed and cares about feedback.

 

T&M: Tell us how you measure professional accomplishment.

KM: It always feels like an accomplishment when you are working on a trial strategy with your trial team and you see it come to life in the courtroom with your clients.

 

T&M: Similarly, what has been the biggest professional challenge you have faced?

KM: At times, we come into contact with stressful and emotional cases, and you really have to work hard to separate the facts of the case from emotion. I care about the people in our cases, and I care about delivering justice.

 

T&M: What advice would you give to young attorneys who are just starting in this field?

KM: Volunteer for big projects. Hard work really does pay off. Don’t be afraid.

 

T&M: What interested you in a career in law?

KM: Being a lawyer is intellectually rewarding. Lawyers are innovative thinkers and problem solvers, and I like to solve problems.

 

T&M: If you could travel anywhere in the world – all expenses paid – where would you go?

KM: Bora Bora. But, I do not love the idea of being on a flight for 19 hours, so it’s doubtful that will ever happen.

 

T&M: Where are we most likely to find you on a weekend afternoon?

KM: In the summer, on the beach.

 

T&M: What is a fun fact about you that most people do not know?

KM: I won $3,000 in Las Vegas, playing my birthday in roulette.

 

 

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