James P. Montagne, Attorney

Sole Practitioner  Focusing on personal injury (plaintiff and defendant), estate planning, drunk driving and drug possession defense, and business organization. Serve as neutral mediator in Wayne and Oakland Counties. Serve as neutral arbitrator in the tri-county area.

TRANSAMERICA INSURANCE GROUP 
(July 1978 - June 1993)
Montagne, Schmidt, Matthews & Belanger
40 Oak Hollow, Suite 320
Southfield, MI
(313) 357-3200

Managing Attorney (1982 1993)
Managed an eleven (11) person staff counsel office (five attorneys, five secretaries, and one paralegal). Staff counsel consisted of one nine (9) person office for civil litigation, handling both personal and commercial lines, including No-Fault auto, homeowners, premises, products, police pursuit cases, and various miscellaneous personal injury and property damage cases, and, a two (2) person workers compensation office. Responsible for handling an active caseload including trials and arbitrations covering southeastern and central Michigan (an area consisting of twenty-five (25) counties). Responsible for all administrative matters regarding budgeting, personnel performance/salary reviews, recruiting, training, and selection of outside vendors (independent medical examiners, court reporters, subpoena service, etc.). Supervised design for in-house billing system to track the cost effectiveness of staff counsel operations nationwide. Work was done with the assistance of a professional computer programmer.
 
Trial Attorney (1978-1982)
Responsible for a full caseload of civil litigation in Wayne and Oakland Counties. Responsible for prompt, accurate and thorough reporting to the claims department. Assisted the claims department with evaluations and reserve setting on litigated files and pending claims.

MICHIGAN ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE 
(December 1976-December 1977)
Consumer Protection Division
525 W. Ottawa, Room 670
Lansing, Michigan 48913

Law Clerk
Prepared pleadings for formal and informal administrative hearings for the suspension or revocation of residential builders licenses. Also performed legal research and drafted pleadings relating to the enforcement of the Consumer Protection Act.

UNITED STATES ARMY
(June 1972-April 1974)
Military Service in the Republic of Korea. Responsible for the screening of individuals' medical and personnel records for the purposes of granting security clearances and assignment to sensitive positions. Taught English in a Korean High School. Awarded the Army Commendation Medal and Honorably Discharged.

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