Celestine M. Montague Associate

Celestine Montague has a broad range of experience in complex insurance coverage and general commercial litigation.  She manages complex, multi-million dollar cases through all facets of litigation, from pre-trial strategy through post-trial relief.   Celestine’s approach to litigation focuses on early identification of the most cost-effective method of resolution that suits her client’s interests, which often includes controlling the scope and speed of discovery to either facilitate settlement or prepare the matter for summary adjudication.

She represents property and casualty and professional liability insurance companies in state and federal courts nationwide, as well as in various alternative dispute resolution forums including private arbitrations and mediations. 

Celestine has handled insurance coverage and bad faith litigation matters involving complex and emerging issues pertinent to various types of coverage, including advertising injury/intellectual property, directors and officers, professional liability, environmental liability, public officials and law enforcement, employment practices, sexual misconduct, garage keepers liability and fidelity bonds.  She also has represented clients in litigation involving business and commercial disputes, including contractual indemnification, breach of contract and shareholder derivative actions. 

During law school, Celestine was a member of, and editor for the Moot Court team. 

Representative Matters

• Negotiated coverage disputes among multiple carriers, policyholders, brokers and claimants, involving various issues, including indemnification provisions, additional insured agreements, and competing other insurance provisions
• Represented carriers in litigation involving claims-made and reported issues, underwriting history, the formation and reformation of contracts, changes in coverage positions, asset purchase agreements, reinsurance agreements, claims servicing agreements, professional services exclusions, interrelated wrongful acts provisions and prior act exclusions
• Represented insurers at the coverage review stage vis-à-vis the potential for coverage under multiple coverage part policies, providing coverage opinions, recommendations and coverage position letters