Tristan Montaque

Tristan Montaque handles complex civil litigation from inception to resolution, including property damage, personal injury, premises liability and motor vehicle suits, construction defect claims, contract disputes, and suits alleging violation of New York Labor Law and other state and municipal laws. His work involves all phases of these cases, from claims evaluation and investigation, responsive pleadings and motions, through fact and expert discovery to hearings and arguments, mediations, settlement negotiations, and, where warranted, trial.

Tristan brings both his practiced ability to see the big picture and his practical and results-driven approach to his work for clients, who trust him to provide thorough and analytical claim and liability analyses, strategic case management recommendations, and on-target litigation budgets. Clients also know that Tristan prides himself on being personable and taking the time to engage one-on-one with people.

Prior to joining WCM, Tristan spent nearly four years as assistant corporation counsel with the New York City Law Department, first with the Manhattan Tort Division, where he managed and litigated a case load that often surpassed 100 claims and suits alleging violations of state and municipal law against the city and its employees, and then with the Special Federal Litigation Division, handling federal cases alleging Section 1983 civil rights violations brought in the Southern and Eastern districts of New York.

In addition to his work on behalf of WCM’s clients, Tristan dedicates time to civic and community organizations, including sharing his extensive experience in law school and college as a member and coach of several trial teams with the Brooklyn Latin High School Mock Trial Team.

A classically trained opera singer who attended the Cleveland Music Institute, Tristan toured internationally and performed with professional recording artists, including on a Grammy award-winning record, before becoming a lawyer. More recently, he merged his passions for the law and music, becoming a member of the New York City Bar Chorus.

Select Representations

• Argued and won multiple oral arguments in Manhattan Supreme Court for the City of New York on a variety of general liability matters.

• Won a directed verdict on an improper search warrant trial in Manhattan Supreme Court for the City of New York.

• Won a favorable verdict on a property damage case in Manhattan Supreme Court involving members of the New York City Police Department on behalf of the City of New York.

Professional Activities