Practice group will be one of the few personal injury practices in the U.S. with female leadership
Hamilton, N.J. (Jan. 31, 2024) – Stark & Stark, home to one of the largest personal injury practices in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, has elevated Deborah S. Dunn and Carin A. O’Donnell to co-chairs of the firm’s Accident & Personal Injury practice group. With Mss. Dunn and O’Donnell’s appointment, Stark & Stark becomes one of the few law firms in the U.S. with a personal injury practice led exclusively by women.
“We are thrilled for Deb and Carin, as their track record of success, dedication, and leadership will undoubtedly propel our personal injury practice to new heights while ensuring the firm’s continued success in delivering outstanding legal services to our clients,” said Michael G. Donahue, III, Stark & Stark’s Managing Shareholder. “Deb and Carin represent the fabric of Stark & Stark. This elevation shows Stark & Stark’s commitment to recognizing those that have earned leadership positions.”
Ms. Dunn, based in the firm’s Marlton, New Jersey, office, joined Stark & Stark in 2005. She represents individuals that have been injured or killed due to the negligence of others, including in premises liability, trucking accident, and motorcycle accident cases. She has secured numerous multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts in cases involving major corporations, leading hospitals, and well-known organizations. Ms. Dunn is a member of the American Association for Justice and the New Jersey Association for Justice, has served on both organizations’ Board of Governors, and is a member of Stark & Stark’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. She is a graduate of Rutgers University and Rutgers Law School.
“The practice of law in New Jersey and across the country is changing at a breakneck speed,” said Ms. Dunn. “Carin and I are excited about our plans for further developing our practice group’s mentorship, training, and skill enhancement programs to ensure that our associates and shareholders have the tools they need to successfully engage, retain, and represent clients in a time of significant change in our profession and society.”
Ms. O’Donnell, based in the firm’s Philadelphia and Yardley, Pennsylvania, offices, helped establish Stark & Stark’s Pennsylvania presence when she joined the firm in 2007. She concentrates her practice on wrongful death and catastrophic injury litigation, specifically construction accidents and sexual assault matters, and has secured numerous multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts, including verdicts in defense-friendly counties. She is a member of the American Association for Justice and the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, having served on the latter’s Board of Governors and on the former’s and Stark & Stark’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committees. She is a graduate of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and Widener University School of Law.
“Today’s successful personal injury attorneys are masters of many disciplines, including the substantive areas of law they practice, oral and written communications, technology, trial practice, and the ability to connect with others, including clients, witnesses, jurors, and opposing counsel,” said Ms. O’Donnell. “Deb and I believe it is our responsibility as co-chairs of the Accident & Personal Injury group to ensure that our attorneys receive the training and education they need to master these disciplines so that they can continue to secure favorable outcomes for our clients, create long-lasting client relationships, and reap the benefits that each brings.”