Melissa A. Ruth
Associate
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Phone: +1 215 979 1925
- Duane Morris LLP
30 South 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-4196
USA
Melissa A. Ruth practices in the area of litigation. Ms. Ruth’s practice is focused on products liability litigation, including mass tort and toxic tort litigation and personal injury defense litigation, including premises and FELA litigation. Ms. Ruth also has experience in matters involving commercial disputes, fidelity subrogation, and general liability claims.
Ms. Ruth serves as an arbitrator for the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania.
Ms. Ruth is a 2016 cum laude graduate of Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, where she was managing editor of research and writing of the Villanova Law Review, and a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University.
Ms. Ruth serves on the Board of Governors and as the Chair of the Young Lawyers Division for the Philadelphia Bar Association for 2023.
Admissions
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
Education
- Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2016
- Managing Editor of Research and Writing, Villanova Law Review - The Pennsylvania State University, B.S., 2012
Experience
- Duane Morris LLP
- Associate, 2021-present - McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter LLP
- Associate, 2017-2021 - Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division
- Law Clerk to the Hon. Mary Gibbons Whipple, J.S.C, 2016-2017
Honors and Awards
- Named a "Lawyer on the Fast Track" by The Legal Intelligencer’s Professional Excellence Awards, 2024
- Named to Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch," 2024
Professional Activities
- Philadelphia Bar Association
- Young Lawyers Division
-- Chair, 2023
-- Executive Committee, 2018-2021
- Board of Governors, 2021-present - Lawyers’ Club of Philadelphia, Board of Directors, 2024
Civic and Charitable Activities
Volunteer Attorney, The Support Center for Child Advocates
Selected Publications
- Author, “A Place to Build Relationships,” Philadelphia Bar Reporter, page 10, November 2023
Author, "Pro Bono Work Great Opportunity for Lawyers to Develop Their Skills," The Philadelphia Bar Reporter, October 18, 2023
- Author, "It’s Time to Acknowledge Student Loan Repayments," The Philadelphia Bar Reporter, September 14, 2023
- Author, "Advice from Experienced Attorneys for New Attorneys," The Philadelphia Bar Reporter, August 8, 2023
- Author, "YLD Diversity Reception," The Philadelphia Bar Reporter, July 24, 2023
- Author, "A Successful Law Week 2023, Thanks to Stellar Volunteers," The Philadelphia Bar Reporter, June 23, 2023
- Author, "Advice for Law School Students," The Philadelphia Bar Reporter, May 5, 2023
- Author, "Law Week is Just Around the Corner," The Philadelphia Bar Reporter, April 12, 2023
- Author, "New Lawyers: Seek Out Opportunities," The Philadelphia Bar Reporter, March 6, 2023
- Author, "Give Back to the Community Through the YLD," The Philadelphia Bar Reporter, February 6, 2023
- Author, "New Year Ushers in Exciting Plans for YLD," The Philadelphia Bar Reporter, January 24, 2023
Note, “What to Expect When Someone is Expecting for You: New Jersey Needs to Protect Parties to Gestational Surrogacy Agreements Following In Re T.J.S.,” 60 Vill. L. Rev. 383, 2015
“Enforcing Surrogacy Agreements in the Courts: Pushing for an Intent-Based Standard,” 63 Vill. L. Rev. Tolle Lege 1, 2018
Media Hits
- Quoted, "Attorneys Say It's Gotten Harder for Young Lawyers to Get Court Experience," The Legal Intelligencer, February 16, 2023
- Quoted, "Philly Bar Association Will Offer Philly Area Residents Free Legal Advice" WHYY, April 12, 2022
Selected Speaking Engagements
- Speaker, “Technological Trends in Litigation: What to Know and How to Navigate Modern Practice,” CSX Risk Management Conference, October 19, 2023
- Moderator, “Improving Our Clerkship System,” Philadelphia Bar Association and the Legal Accountability Project, Philadelphia, April 4, 2023
Speaker, “Artfully Looking at Charitable Trusts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey,” CLE, May 23, 2019