Melanie J. Foreman

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 is additionally the Vice 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.