Melanie J. Foreman

Shareholder

    Melanie is a shareholder in the Casualty Department, where she defends insured and self-insured entities against claims in state and federal court. She focuses her practice on litigation related to product liability, premises and municipal liability, and commercial transportation. Melanie has served as lead trial counsel and as second chair in multiple civil litigations. Melanie is also responsible for taking depositions, making oral arguments before the Court, and drafting pleadings and motions, having successfully obtained final adjudication via the summary judgment phase.

    Prior to joining the firm, Melanie served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Annette M. Rizzo in the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, Court of Common Pleas. During her tenure, Melanie drafted judicial opinions and conducted pre-trial conferences by mediating between parties to settle cases and ensure cases were trial-ready.

    Melanie is heavily involved in the Philadelphia legal community. She is a Board member of Community Legal Services (CLS), and also co-chairs its Leadership Council and Board Development Committee. Melanie is the Founder and Chair of Justice Rising, a young professionals organization associated with CLS that is dedicated to access to justice for all. She is a member of the Board of Governors of the Philadelphia Bar Association, and also sits on the Large Firm Associates’ Committee. She serves as the President of the Temple American Inn of Court.

    Melanie also volunteers her time with the women’s collective giving organization, Impact100 Philadelphia, and the University of Pennsylvania’s Alumni Interview Program, serving as Co-Chair of the Philadelphia region’s interviewing of prospective undergraduates.

    Melanie is a two-time graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, earning her Bachelor of Arts in 2008 summa cum laude and her juris doctor in 2013. She is barred in Pennsylvania and New York.

    Significant Representative Matters

    Successfully obtained summary judgment in an alleged sex abuse case pending in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The plaintiff, a minor, alleged that he was abused by an unidentified assailant while at a summer camp in 2002.  In granting the motion and dismissing the lawsuit, the judge himself noted that it is rare for the court to enter summary judgment in cases of this nature. 

    Published Works

    "Do a World of Good," The Philadelphia Lawyer, special pro bono issue, May 2024

    "Conflicting Opinions on Personal Injury Jurisdiction Over Foreign Corporations Linger in Pa.," The Legal Intelligencer, Personal Injury Supplement, November 2020

    "The Fight to Stop Predatory Lending in Pennsylvania," co-author, The Legal Intelligencer, October 24, 2019

    "Endless Statute of Limitations For Uninsured Motorist Claims In Pennsylvania?," Defense Digest, Vol. 24, No. 1, March 2018

    "Young Professionals and Community Legal Services Partner Up," co-author, The Legal Intelligencer, January 24, 2017

    "When Targeted Killing Is Not Permissible: An Evaluation of Targeted Killing Under the Laws of War and Morality," University of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law, January 2013

    Classes/Seminars Taught

    Negligence 101 - A Pennsylvania and Florida Legal Overview, Marshall Dennehey Client Presentation, December 15, 2020

    Pro Bono Activities

    Community Legal Services Leadership Council

    Justice Rising, Founder and Chair, Philadelphia, PA

    Admissions
    New York
    2014
    Pennsylvania
    2014
    U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania
    2016
    U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit
    2024
    Education
    University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D., 2013)
    University of Pennsylvania (B.A., summa cum laude, 2008)
    Honors & awards
    The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants; Transportation Law
    2021-2025
    Craig M. Perry Service Award, Philadelphia Bar Association
    2019
    Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star
    2023-2024
    Associations & memberships
    Community Legal Services, Board Member; Co-Chair, Leadership Council; Co-Chair, Board Development Committee
    Impact100 Philadelphia, Young Philanthropist
    Justice Rising Advocates, Community Legal Services, Founding Chair, 2017
    Philadelphia Legal Assistance, Board Member
    Pennsylvania Bar Association
    Philadelphia Bar Association, Assistant Secretary; Board of Governors, 2020-2023; Co-Chair, Annual Bench Bar Conference, 2023
    Philadelphia Legal Assistance, Co-Host, 25th Anniversary Jubilee for Justice
    Temple American Inn of Court, Vice President, 2022-2023; Treasurer, 2021-2022; President, 2023-2024
    University of Pennsylvania Alumni Interviewing Co-Chair, Philadelphia Region
    Disciplinary Board of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Hearing Committee Member
    Year joined
    2015