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.
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
Year joined
2015
Results
Successfully Defended SEPTA in a Wrongful Death and Survival Case
General Liability
Trucking & Transportation Liability
December 4, 2024
We successfully defended the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in a wrongful death and survival case in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas. The case involved the death of a pedestrian, Vincent Boykin, struck by a SEPTA bus, with the plaintiff, his father, disputing the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s suicide ruling. The defense presented a forensic psychiatrist’s testimony confirming Mr. Boykin’s high suicide risk. Although SEPTA was found 40% negligent, the decedent’s 60% negligence barred recovery of damages.
Defense Verdict for Public Transportation System in Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas
Trucking & Transportation Liability
December 2, 2024
We obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a public transportation system in a Wrongful Death and Survival case in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas. The case involved the death of a pedestrian, struck by a bus, with the plaintiff, his father, disputing the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's suicide ruling. The defense presented a forensic psychiatrist's testimony confirming the deceased’s high suicide risk. Although the transportation system was found 40% negligent, the decedent's 60% negligence barred recovery of damages.
Plaintiffs’ class action certification attempts thwarted.
Class Action Litigation
November 1, 2022
We received a favorable decision from the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas Commerce Program. Our motion to strike the plaintiffs’ class action certification was granted, effectively dismissing the plaintiffs’ attempts at a class action lawsuit against a transportation authority.
Thought Leadership
Marshall Dennehey Announces 2024 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
May 17, 2024
Twenty-eight attorneys across Marshall Dennehey's six Pennsylvania offices have been selected to the 2024 edition of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers magazine.
Marshall Dennehey Attorneys Elected to Leadership Positions of the Philadelphia Bar Association
December 20, 2023
Melanie J. Foreman Will Serve as an Officer and Jahlee J.
Melanie J. Foreman Elected President of the Temple American Inn of Court
General Liability
June 23, 2023
Melanie J.
Melanie J. Foreman Elected to the Board of Trustees of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation
Product Liability
General Liability
January 18, 2023
Melanie J. Foreman, shareholder in Marshall Dennehey’s Philadelphia office, has been elected to the Board of Trustees of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation.
Marshall Dennehey Announces 2023 Shareholder Class - Largest in Firm's 60-Year History
December 8, 2022
Marshall Dennehey is pleased to announce that 20 attorneys, 12 men and eight women, have been elevated to shareholder effective January 1, 2023.
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
AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him
or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
