Melissa A. Ruth

Associate

  • Melissa A. Ruth
  • Phone: +1 215 979 1925

    Import to Address Book

  • 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

Professional Activities

  • Philadelphia Bar Association
    - Young Lawyers Division
    -- Chair, 2023
    -- Chair-Elect, 2022
    -- Financial Secretary, 2021
    -- Executive Committee, 2018-2021
    - Board of Governors, 2021-present
    - Women in the Profession Committee; Former Liaison to the Young Lawyers Division

Civic and Charitable Activities

  • Volunteer Attorney, The Support Center for Child Advocates

Selected Publications

  • Quoted, "Attorneys Say It's Gotten Harder for Young Lawyers to Get Court Experience," The Legal Intelligencer, February 16, 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," New Jersey Law Journal, February 20, 2023

Selected Speaking Engagements

  • “Artfully Looking at Charitable Trusts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey,” CLE, May 23, 2019