Ayanna is a member of the firm’s General Liability Practice, where she focuses on matters involving premises liability, automobile liability, trucking and transportation, property damage, and insurance-related disputes. She is a Certified Civil Trial Attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey—a distinction earned by less than 2% of attorneys statewide. With more than a decade spent handling both defense and plaintiff matters, Ayanna brings a well-rounded perspective and strong strategic judgment to all types of cases.
Her background includes serving as Staff and Field Counsel for national insurance carriers, where she managed a broad range of cases from inception through resolution. Earlier in her career, Ayanna represented plaintiffs in civil matters and served as an Assistant Deputy Public Defender, where she regularly appeared in court and handled cases in high-pressure environments. Together, these roles have given her a comprehensive understanding of how both plaintiffs and defendants assess and resolve risk, informed by in-depth knowledge of insurance operations and litigation strategy.
Following law school, Ayanna clerked for the Honorable Michael A. Toto, A.J.S.C., in the Superior Court of New Jersey, an experience that provided valuable insight into judicial decision-making and continues to shape her litigation practice. In addition, she serves as a Civil Arbitrator in Middlesex and Union Counties and is active in both the Middlesex County Bar Association and the New Jersey State Bar Association. Ayanna is admitted to practice in New Jersey and New York.
Areas of Focus
General Liability
- Handles matters involving premises liability, automobile negligence, and property damage claims
- Provides strategic support in case evaluation, discovery, and preparation for resolution or trial
- Applies experience from national insurance carriers to anticipate litigation challenges and streamline case management
Automobile Liability
- Manages a wide range of motor vehicle matters, including multi-party and
high-exposure claims - Assesses liability, contributory negligence, and damages in auto-related matters
- Coordinates discovery, negotiates settlements, and develops case strategy
Trucking and Transportation
- Defends transportation clients in accident litigation involving personal injury, property damage, and cargo claims
- Advises on insurance coverage issues and risk management strategies for motor carriers and fleet operators
- Supports compliance with federal regulations, including driver qualifications and hazardous materials handling
Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith
- Addresses coverage questions and claims involving duty to defend and indemnify
- Handles disputes related to bad faith allegations and extra-contractual liability
- Provides advice on insurance-related issues arising in general liability matters
Civil Practice and Case Management
- Certified Civil Trial Attorney with broad courtroom, arbitration, mediation and trial experience
- Background spans both defense and plaintiff-side representation
- Experienced in navigating procedural complexities and tailoring litigation approaches to jurisdictional nuances
Affiliations
- Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney
- Superior Court of New Jersey, Middlesex County
- Middlesex County Bar Association
- New Jersey State Bar Association