Newport attorney appointed to bench

Veteran trial lawyer and Newport Beach resident Gregory Munoz has been

appointed to the Orange County Superior Court by Gov. Gray Davis.

Munoz, who represented Amanda Arthur in the civil case stemming from the

May 1997 Irvine Avenue accident, will fill the vacancy left by retiring

Judge Theodore E. Millard.

Munoz, 62, began his career as a Los Angeles deputy district attorney

from 1963 to 1965. From 1965 to 1969, he worked at the law firm of

Dryden, Harrington and Swartz. Since then, he has been a partner in the

Santa Ana-based firm of Munoz & Swift. He specializes in medical

malpractice, product liability, insurance bad faith and personal injury

litigation. Munoz also has worked as a mediator and arbitrator.

“Needless to say, I’m flattered and elated about the opportunity to

serve,” Munoz said. “I’ve always had that thinking in the back of my

head.”

He graduated from UCLA and went to USC’s law school. He said he’s looking

forward to using his experience both in criminal and civil law on the

bench. His new duties will begin in a few weeks.

“Greg Munoz is not only a very highly regarded attorney in private

practice, but he is also a well-respected arbitrator,” said Orange County

Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas. “He brings extensive civil experience and a

record of sound judgment to the Orange County bench.”

Munoz, who has lived in Dover Shores for the past 14 years, is married

and has five adult children.