Shane is a member of the firm's Post-Trial and Appellate Advocacy Practice Group. In this role, he handles all aspects of briefing and argument in federal and state appellate courts, and is also routinely tasked with assisting trial teams with the preparation and presentation of briefing and argument in support of pre-trial motions and post-trial motions. The appellate team at Marshall Dennehey also provides critical support to attorneys at trial to ensure that pitfalls are avoided and viable appellate issues are preserved. Serving as appellate lead counsel and trial-level support counsel allows Shane to handle cases of all varieties, including civil rights and municipal liability, negligence, construction accidents, professional malpractice, product liability, toxic torts, and class actions.
In 2021, Shane was named the Assistant General Counsel for the firm. In this role, and drawing on his litigation experience, he brings a results-oriented perspective to issues as they arise for the firm itself. Working with firm General Counsel Jay Rothman, Shane is tasked with process development and assisting colleagues navigate routine (and non-routine) issues that legal professionals face today.
Prior to joining the firm, Shane clerked for Judge D. Brooks Smith, former Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and earlier clerked for Judge William J. Zloch of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Shane is admitted to practice in all state courts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the First, Third, Fourth, and Eleventh Circuits, and the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania.
Honors & awards
Pennsylvania Super Lawyer Rising Star
2015-2017
Year joined
2010
Results
Superior Court of Pennsylvania Vacates $1.09 Billion Verdict, Orders New Trial Over Crashworthiness Jury Instructions
Appellate Advocacy & Post-Trial Practice
December 22, 2025
We convinced the Superior Court of Pennsylvania to vacate a $1.09 billion jury verdict and remand for a new trial. The court held that the jury had not been properly instructed on the elements of a crashworthiness claim under Pennsylvania law. The court's ruling received press coverage in both The Legal Intelligencer and The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Successfully Dismantled a Complex Claim Against a Major Health Care Corporation
Health Care Liability
Appellate Advocacy & Post-Trial Practice
June 25, 2025
We succeeded in partially dismantling a complex claim against a major health care client. The family of a former in-patient resident who died as a result of complications from the COVID-19 virus filed suit, raising claims that the patient was sexually assaulted while in the care of the hospital and a subsidiary ambulance company. Asked to join the defense team shortly before trial, we effectively discredited the plaintiff’s witnesses throughout the plaintiff’s case-in-chief.
Volatile Sexual Assault Case Successfully Moved Out of Philadelphia
Social Services & Human Services Liability
March 1, 2024
We successfully obtained an order to move a sexual assault case to Chester County, Pennsylvania. At first, the venue appeared prima fascia good for Philadelphia until our attorneys more closely investigated and found the one defendant holding the case in the city was never served and could not be found.
Received Precedential Decision from PA Superior Court in Venue Transfer Case
General Liability
Appellate Advocacy & Post-Trial Practice
October 30, 2023
We secured a unanimous, precedential decision upholding a venue transfer from Philadelphia to Butler County under forum non conveniens, setting a new standard for defendants after a series of appellate reversals.
Favorable Precedential Decision Obtained in High-Stakes Construction Defect Case
Appellate Advocacy & Post-Trial Practice
Architectural, Engineering & Construction Defect Litigation
September 29, 2023
We prevailed in a unanimous, precedential decision in the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, which reconciled conflicting case law in the state. The plaintiffs were joined by 55 amici, and our client was joined by numerous construction organizations as amici. The court eventually applied Pennsylvania’s statute of repose to bar construction defect claims brought by homeowners.
Thought Leadership
New York Court Reaffirms Internal Affairs Doctrine, Denies Standing in Derivative Suit Against English Corporation
Philadelphia - Headquarters
Appellate Advocacy & Post-Trial Practice
Commercial Litigation
July 1, 2025
“Few principles are more firmly entrenched in corporate law than the internal affairs doctrine, a choice-of-law rule providing that, with rare exception, the substantive law of the place of incorporation governs disputes relating to the rights and Case Law Alerts, 3rd Quarter, July 2025 is prepared by Marshall Dennehey to provide information on recent developments of interest to our readers.
LEGAL ROUNDUP - Pennsylvania
Philadelphia - Headquarters
Behavioral Health Risk & Liability
Health Care Liability
November 1, 2024
Supreme Court to Decide Pair of Mental Health Procedures Act Cases, Outlining the Contours of Claims Against Treatment Providers The Quarterly Dose
Supreme Court to Decide Pair of Mental Health Procedures Act Cases, Outlining the Contours of Claims Against Treatment Providers.
Philadelphia - Headquarters
Appellate Advocacy & Post-Trial Practice
Health Care Liability
October 1, 2024
“One of the purposes of the Mental Health Procedures Act is to provide limited protection from civil and criminal liability to mental health personnel and their employers in rendering treatment in this unscientific and inexact field.” Farago v Case Law Alerts, 4th Quarter, Octo
Pennsylvania Supreme Court to Review Constitutionality of Sovereign Immunity-Based Damages Cap
Philadelphia - Headquarters
Appellate Advocacy & Post-Trial Practice
April 1, 2024
States, including the Commonwealth, enjoy immunity from suit and have since “before the ratification of the Constitution.” Goldman v. Septa, 57 A.3d 1154, 1172 (Pa. 2012) (quoting Alden v. Maine, 527 U.S. 706, 713 (1999)).
Marshall Dennehey Named 2024 Litigation Department of the Year for Appellate Law By ALM’s Pennsylvania Legal Awards
Appellate Advocacy & Post-Trial Practice
March 15, 2024
Marshall Dennehey was awarded with the 2024 Litigation Department of the Year for Appellate Law by ALM’s prestigious Pennsylvania Legal Awards.
Classes/Seminars Taught
Highlights in Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Law, Health Care and Health Law Seminar, Marshall Dennehey, November 7, 2019
Highlights in Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Law, Health Care and Health Law Seminar, Marshall Dennehey, November 5, 2015
Media Commentary
'Pa. Atty Off Hook For Extended Interest on Malpractice Award,' Law360, March 31, 2021
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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.
