Melanie Barnes is an associate in the firm's Commercial Litigation Practice Group.
Class Action Litigation. Melanie has defended a number of class action cases with a wide variety of claims, including those related to billing practices, consumer fraud, product liability and debt collection. She is particularly well-versed in the removal requirements imposed by the Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA).
Commercial Litigation. Melanie has commercial litigation experience in both federal and state court. She has worked on general contract disputes, property disputes and employment disputes for small businesses and large corporations. Melanie has also handled a significant number of consumer arbitrations and is familiar with the ins and outs of the arbitration process.
Pro Bono Litigation. Melanie has an active pro bono practice and has served as court-appointed counsel in a civil rights case, for which she was second-chair in a federal jury trial. She has also served as an advocate for children in foster care.
In General. Melanie earned her J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law, where she was a Beasley Merit Scholar and a member of the Temple Law Review. Melanie received her B.A. in history from the University of Pennsylvania in 2004. Prior to attending law school, Melanie was a world volunteer and taught English as a second language at an orphanage in the Dominican Republic.