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Kristina M.
Munsters

  • Partner

It is rewarding to advise businesses facing ownership disputes – probably because the emotional stakes are even higher, surpassing business formalities and impacting interpersonal relationships and investments. We often need to learn and respect deep histories and dynamic goals in order to craft the best possible solution – and the Warner team knows how to get that done. 

Kris Munsters is a litigator who focuses on risk management and complex commercial litigation across a wide range of industries, including manufacturers, suppliers, financial institutions, governmental entities and the cannabis industry. She has a particular focus on business ownership disputes, insurance coverage and indemnity disputes, products liability defense, regulatory defense, banking litigation, and document and information management.

“I have a lot of patience. This may get under opposing counsel’s skin sometimes, particularly if they are trying to push my buttons. But my hope and intention are that these qualities calm and comfort my clients. It is very stressful and emotional to get sued, so, if I can absorb some of that, I will do so.”

Kristina M. Munsters

Insurance Coverage and Risk Management Experience

  • Successfully briefed a dispositive motion on a first-party insurance coverage claim on behalf of a business owner in federal court, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client.
  • Successfully negotiated settlement of a first-party property insurance claim for a manufacturing company.
  • Regularly advises corporate clients and individuals on legal issues involving insurance, indemnity and risk management.
  • Regularly represents clients in insurance coverage disputes in federal and state courts.
  • Second-chair appellate counsel, Ile v. Foremost Ins. Co., 493 Mich. 915; 823 N.W.2d 426 (2012) (Michigan Supreme Court adopted insurance policy interpretation advanc

Insurance Coverage and Risk Management Experience

  • Successfully briefed a dispositive motion on a first-party insurance coverage claim on behalf of a business owner in federal court, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client.
  • Successfully negotiated settlement of a first-party property insurance claim for a manufacturing company.
  • Regularly advises corporate clients and individuals on legal issues involving insurance, indemnity and risk management.
  • Regularly represents clients in insurance coverage disputes in federal and state courts.
  • Second-chair appellate counsel, Ile v. Foremost Ins. Co., 493 Mich. 915; 823 N.W.2d 426 (2012) (Michigan Supreme Court adopted insurance policy interpretation advanced by Warner and reversed lower courts’ judgment against client).

Complex Commercial Litigation Experience

  • First-chaired the defense of a multi-million dollar negligence claim against a provider of high-performance internet infrastructure services, and obtained a favorable settlement.
  • Local counsel for a medical device manufacturer in a products liability action in federal court.
  • Successfully argued and briefed a dispositive motion on behalf of a global furniture manufacturer in a product liability case.
  • Worked as part of a Warner legal team representing two major creditors as local counsel in Detroit’s bankruptcy.
  • Routinely represents corporate clients in all stages of litigation, including pleadings, discovery, motion practice, alternative dispute resolution and at trial.

Banking and Securities Litigation

  • Routinely advises banking clients on risk management and best practices related to deposit accounts.
  • Provides defense to national and local banks in deposit account litigation in federal and state courts, obtaining favorable results for clients.
  • Defends broker-dealers in FINRA arbitrations and in state and federal court securities litigation, including cases involving negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, unsuitability and securities laws.

Shareholder Disputes and Business Breakup Litigation

  • Advises business entities and business owners on strategy for resolving ownership disputes.
  • Routinely represents business entities, officers and directors defending against claims of minority oppression and breach of fiduciary duties.
  • Routinely represents business owners in prosecuting claims of minority oppression and breach of fiduciary duty.
  • Represents clients in all levels of ownership disputes, from pre-litigation consultation and strategy to mediation and litigation.

Regulatory Defense

  • Represented a financial institution in defense of an enforcement action by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, including the appeal of the final decision and a favorable settlement.
  • Regularly defends cannabis entities in enforcement actions by the Cannabis Regulatory Agency.
  • Represents and consults with clients on strategy for communicating with regulatory agencies when faced with compliance issues.

Document Retention and Information Management

  • Drafts Information Management and Document Retention policies and schedules for clients.
  • Consults with clients on managing litigation risk with respect to document retention and information management.
  • Serves as document retention counsel for a global manufacturing and distribution company.
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Kristina M.
Munsters

  • Partner
Grand Rapids

My admin

It is rewarding to advise businesses facing ownership disputes – probably because the emotional stakes are even higher, surpassing business formalities and impacting interpersonal relationships and investments. We often need to learn and respect deep histories and dynamic goals in order to craft the best possible solution – and the Warner team knows how to get that done. 

Kris Munsters is a litigator who focuses on risk management and complex commercial litigation across a wide range of industries, including manufacturers, suppliers, financial institutions, governmental entities and the cannabis industry. She has a particular focus on business ownership disputes, insurance coverage and indemnity disputes, products liability defense, regulatory defense, banking litigation, and document and information management.

“I have a lot of patience. This may get under opposing counsel’s skin sometimes, particularly if they are trying to push my buttons. But my hope and intention are that these qualities calm and comfort my clients. It is very stressful and emotional to get sued, so, if I can absorb some of that, I will do so.”

Kristina M. Munsters