Marion Munley is a champion of the civil justice system and the rights of victims—particularly those injured in trucking crashes and by products in the marketplace. She is known for her compassionate approach to representing the catastrophically injured and her tireless devotion to her clients and their families. Marion treats each client like a member of her family. Through her advocacy, she has won many multimillion dollar recoveries for her clients including one of the largest trucking accident settlements in history.
Widely recognized as one of the state’s most prominent and widely respected truck accident lawyers, Marion is Triple Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Civil Trial, Civil Practice, and Truck Law. Marion has earned an AV-Preeminent designation from Martindale-Hubbell, the industry’s highest ethical and client satisfaction rating.
A leader in the legal community, Marion is an active member of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) and is currently the AAJ Treasurer. She was the first woman to become Chair of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group in 2018 and is a past chair of the AAJ Women Trial Lawyers Caucus. Marion has also served as President of the Melvin M. Belli Society. Marion is the second woman in Pennsylvania to become Board Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Among her other professional affiliations are the American Board of Trial Advocates, the International Society of Barristers, and the Summit Council, an exclusive group of today’s top civil justice attorneys committed to the highest levels of trial advocacy, to obtaining justice for individuals and families who have been hurt by corporate wrongdoing, and to the protection of the civil justice system.
During her career, Marion has received some of the highest honors a lawyer can receive. Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2012, Marion has been named the 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” for Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Marion has also been named to the Top 10 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list for 2023 and has been listed in Pennsylvania Super Lawyers for the last 18 years. She has been consistently recognized as one of the “Top 50 Women Lawyers in Pennsylvania” in Super Lawyers Magazine. A graduate of Temple University School of Law, Marion received her undergraduate degree from the University of Scranton.
Truck accident victim who suffered traumatic brain injury
$20,000,000
Settlement for commercial vehicle accident
$17,500,000
Jury verdict in teens’ death caused by car accident
$11,000,000
Woman rear ended in road construction by a tractor trailer
$8,000,000
Family of a Marine who was killed in a truck crash
$4,000,000
Couple rear ended in road construction by a tractor trailer
$4,000,000
Settlement for truck accident victims
$3,970,000
Fatal truck crash
$3,800,000
Seriously injured in a truck accident
$3,000,000
Man rear ended twice by tractor trailer
$3,000,000
Settlement for Woman misdiagnosed with cancer.
$2,800,000
Woman hit crossing the street in a shopping mall
$2,250,000
Settlement for driver of a van involved in accident with a truck.
$2,000,000
Man suffering fatal heart event 24 hours after surgery
$1,900,000
Woman struck by car at a community event
$1,900,000
Verdict for family injured by 16-year-old-driver.
$1,600,000
Man hit by tractor trailer turning left
$1,500,000
Man pulled into industrial machine
$1,500,000
Jury verdict against bank for breach of verbal loan agreement.
$1,400,000
Settlement in ER Wrongful Death case.
$1,200,000
Settlement for boy hit by bus at summer camp.
$880,000
Student injured on a school trip
Honors and Awards
“Top 10 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania,” Super Lawyers, 2023
Lawyer of the Year, Product Liability Litigation-Plaintiffs, Northeastern Pennsylvania, 2024
“Mel Award,” given to an advocate, teacher, and Giant of the Trial Bar for the Melvin M Belli Society, 2023
Lawyer of the Year, Medical Malpractice Law-Plaintiffs, Northeastern Pennsylvania, 2023
Lawyer of the Year, Product Liability Litigation-Plaintiffs, Northeastern Pennsylvania, 2022
Lawyer of the Year, Medical Malpractice-Plaintiffs, Allentown Metro Area, 2021
Lawyer of the Year, Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs, Allentown Metro Area, Best Lawyers, 2020
Lawyer of the Year, Product Liability Litigation-Plaintiffs, Allentown Metro Area, Best Lawyers, 2017, 2019
“Best Lawyers in America” as selected by Best Lawyers, 2012-present
Recipient, American Association of Justice Board of Governors Outstanding Achievement Award, 2022
Recipient, Athena Award, Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, 2021
Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America, 2007, 2019
Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, 2019-2024
Pennsylvania Trailblazer, as recognized by the Legal Intelligencer, 2019
Super Lawyer 2004-present, via Thomson-Reuters, a distinction limited to only 5% of the legal community in Pennsylvania
“Top 100 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania,” Super Lawyers, 2022-present
“Top 50 Women Lawyers in Pennsylvania,” Super Lawyers, 2013-present
Marie Lambert Award, American Association for Justice Women Trial Lawyers Caucus, 2020
“Distinguished Service Award,” American Association for Justice Board of Governors, 2020, 2021
“Robert W. Munley Pursuit of Justice Award,” American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group, 2020
“Above and Beyond” Award, American Association for Justice, 2018, 2019, 2021
Lynette Norton Award, Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession, 2016
Diplomat, National College of Advocacy
AV-Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell
Irish Legal 100
Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers
Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania, The National Trial Lawyers
Woman of Excellence Award Winner, as selected by the Scranton Chamber of Commerce
Chosen as a Top 25 Women Business Professionals for 2011, Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal
Member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Recognition in the TheLegal Intelligencer’s list of Largest Awards and Settlements in Pennsylvania, 2018 (Stevens v. Canyon Environmental)
Recognition by the National Law Journal: a truck accident case settlement reached by Daniel and Marion Munley was the 2nd highest settlement in Pennsylvania, and the 25th highest in the U.S. in 2015.
Education
Temple University School of Law
Philadelphia, PA, Juris Doctor
University of Scranton
Scranton, PA, Bachelor of Arts, cum laude
London School of Economics
London, England
Trinity College
Dublin, Ireland
Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College
Marywood University
Honorary Doctorate, Humane Letters
Bar Admissions
Pennsylvania
New York
United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
Professional Affiliations
Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America (representing less than 0.5% of American Lawyers)
International Society of Barristers (2012-present)
American Association for Justice
AAJ Treasurer
Parliamentarian
Board of Governors
Executive Committee
First woman to serve as Chair, Trucking Litigation Group, 2017-2018
Past Chair, Women Trial Lawyers Caucus 2016-2017
Vice Chair, Bus Litigation Group
Legal Affairs Committee
National Finance Council
Retirement Committee
Publications Committee
Audit Committee
Board of Trustees, National College of Advocacy
Co-Chair, Evergreen Fund
Member, PAC Board of Trustees
Pennsylvania Association for Justice
Board of Governors
Member, Executive Committee
Chair, Women’s Caucus, 2012-2013
Advocate, American Board of Trial Advocates, 2006-Present
The Summit Council
National Board of Trial Advocacy
Board of Directors
Board Certified Advocate, Civil Trial; second woman in Pennsylvania to earn certification
Board Certified Advocate, Civil Practice
Board Certified Advocate, Truck Law; among the first 40 lawyers in the U.S. to earn certification in this field
Second woman in the nation to earn triple board certification
Board of Regents, Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys
Lawyers Advisory Committee of the Judicial Counsel of the Third Circuit 2008-2011
Attorney Information Exchange Group (AIEG) 2019-present
President, Melvin M. Belli Society, 2022-2023
Presentations, CLEs, and Speaking Engagements
New Jersey Association for Justice Boardwalk Seminar 2024, “Pennsylvania Practice Program: Auto and Trucking Cases.” April 17, 2024.
Women in Trial Travel Summit, “Trucking A- Z.” April 6, 2024.
Houston Trial Lawyers Association, “What You Want to Look For in Trial to Use in Closing.” February 23, 2024.
AAJ Trucking Litigation Group Members Only Seminar, “Rule of 3.” December 14, 2023
Iowa Association for Justice Annual Convention, “Keys to Persuasion.” November 9, 2023
Melvin M. Belli Society 75th Annual Seminar, “Pivoting to a Different Trial Strategy: A Case Study.” July 14, 2023.
360 Advocacy Auto, Truck, Damages Extravaganza, “The Rule of 3: Industry Standard or Make Believe.” June 5, 2023.
New Jersey Association for Justice, “Lessons in Persuasion.” April 28, 2023.
Connecticut Women Trial Lawyers Association, “Women in Leadership: Empowering One Another.” April 28, 2023.
The Sidney T. Marable Arizona Association for Justice Annual Conference, “Persuading Butchers, Bakers, and Candlestick Makers: Using Liability and Lay Witnesses to Prove Damages.” October 14, 2022.
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Persuasion Skills for Trial Success Webcast, “Jury Trials in a Pandemic (Opening Statement).” September 13, 2022.
Northeastern Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, “Auto Law Update and the Impact of New Joint and Several Liability Case Law PLUS Using Electronic Evidence To Prove Your Case.” April 21, 2022.
AAJ Winter Convention, “Advocacy Track : Demonstrative Evidence: Using Visual Storytelling to Prove Damages.” February 15, 2022.
Maryland Association for Justice’s Auto Negligence Seminar, “Docs on Video: Making the Most of Medical Testimony.” November 11, 2021.
Melvin M. Belli Society Annual Seminar, “Persuasion in Tractor Trailer Cases.” October 9, 2021.
New Jersey Association for Justice Boardwalk Seminar 2021, “Discovery Issues in Trucking Cases.” June 29, 2021.
Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, “Rule of Three: Industry Standard or Make Believe?” June 16, 2021.
Western Trial Lawyers Association Summer Seminar. “Using the defendants’ words and documents to win your truck case.” June 9, 2021.
Kentucky Justice Association, “Using the Defendants’ Words Against Them to Develop Your Trial Story.” June 8, 2021.
Pennsylvania Association for Justice 39th Annual Auto Law Seminar. “Latest in Crash Technology and Social Media.” May 19, 2021.
American Association for Justice New Lawyers Bootcamp webinar, “Making Sure the Case Keeps Moving,” May 10, 2021
Faculty, Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s Persuasion Skills for Trial Success webcast, “Jury Trials in a Pandemic (Focus on Opening Statements).” March 25, 2021
Speaker, Attorneys Information Exchange Group, “Trial sequencing: What do we need to consider to tell the right story?” February 11, 2021.
Panelist, Maryland Association for Justice: The Daubert Decision: Where Do We Go From Here? January 19, 2021
Faculty, Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College 2005-2010; 2020
“Setting Up Your Trial Story In a Truck Case,” Washington State Association for Justice Winter Conference, December 10, 2020
“Ethical Considerations of Co-Counseling and Other Recent Ethical Issues,” South Carolina Association for Justice Advanced Trial Lawyer College Auto Tort Seminar. December 4, 2020
Superstar A-Z series hosted by the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles. December 3, 2020
“Setting Up Your Trial Story with Key Admissions from the Safety Director and Corporate Representative,” Attorneys Information Exchange Group, Virtual Symposium, November 19, 2020
“Using the 30(b)(6) of the Safety Director to Set up Your Trial Story.” Minnesota Association for Justice: Framing and Trying the Trucking Case. October 28, 2020.
“Truck Crash Cases: What You Absolutely Need to Know to Persuade the Jury,” Melvin M. Belli Society Free Webinar Series, August 12, 2020
“Teeing Up for Trial: The Last 60 Days Before Trial,” The Trial School’s Champions of Trial Boot Camp. July 17, 2020.
“Ethical Considerations of Co-Counseling and Other Recent Ethical Issues” American Association for Justice Amped Up, July 13, 2020
“Who besides the client and experts do you call as damages witnesses?” Pennsylvania Association for Justice Annual Retreat, Women Trial Lawyers Section CLE: Maximizing Non-Economic Damages at Trial, July 8, 2020
“Preparing the client for his/her day in Court; what to do; what not to do,” Pennsylvania Association for Justice Annual Retreat, Women Trial Lawyers Section CLE: Maximizing Non-Economic Damages at Trial, July 8, 2020
“The Latest in Crash Reconstruction Technology” American Association for Justice Winter Convention, New Orleans, LA, February 8, 2020
“Key Written Discovery in the Truck Crash Case,” Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys Annual Symposium, Nashville, TN, September 13, 2019.
“Utilizing Your Experts in Preparing for and Attending the Defense Depositions,” Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys Annual Symposium, Nashville, TN, September 13, 2019.
Faculty, “Exaggerated Liability: Punitive Damages in Truck Cases.” Melvin M. Belli Society, American Association for Justice Annual Convention, San Diego, July 26, 2019.
Speaker, “Infotainment Centers: Obtaining the Information You Need,” Advocacy Track: Getting the Information You Need: Written Requests, Electronic Discovery, and Audit Trails (presented with the New Lawyers Division) CLE Program, American Association for Justice Annual Convention, San Diego, July 26, 2019
Speaker, “Trucking Litigation A-to-Z,” Mississippi Association for Justice, New Orleans, LA, June 6 2019.
Speaker, “Trucking Litigation A to Z” Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, Eureka Springs, April 2019.
Speaker, “A Practical Guide to Handling a Trucking Case,” Pennsylvania Association for Justice Annual Auto Law Seminar. Harrisburg, May 4, 2018; Philadelphia, May 24, 2018
Speaker, “Using Electronic Data Recorders,” 360 Advocacy Auto Crash Litigation 5.0, Las Vegas, NV, April 26, 2018
Presenter, “Truck Accident Cases from A to Z,” Atlas Lawyers Seminar, Miami FL, Feb 21-23, 2018
Panelist, Ethical Considerations of Co-Counseling, American Association for Justice Winter Convention, February 4, 2018
Presenter, “Tractor Trailer Cases are Different: From Investigation to Trial,” Louisiana Association for Justice CLE Conference, New Orleans, LA, December 14, 2017
Speaker/Co-Chair, “Tried and True Trucking Trial Tactics,” AAJ Trucking Litigation Group Members Only Seminar, Palm Beach, FL, December 8, 2017
Presenter, “Training: Proper Visual Search and Hazard Perception,” Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys 2017 Annual Symposium, Nashville, TN, September 18 2017.
Presenter, “Building the Punitive Damage Case,” Trucking Litigation Group CLE Program, American Association for Justice Annual Convention, July 22, 2017
Presenter, “Cross-Examination of Key Defense Witnesses in the Tractor-Trailer Case,” Melvin M. Belli Society Seminar, July 21, 2017
Presenter, “Persuasion Through Cross-Examination: Finding the One Thing, How to Avoid Chasing Two Rabbits.” Western Trial Lawyers Association Maui Seminar, June 12-15, 2017
Presenter, “Collision Investigation and Reconstruction in Motor Vehicle Cases,” Keeping the Roads Safe CLE, American Association for Justice Winter Convention, February 12, 2017
Presenter, “The Shell Game, The Deep Dive, The Payoff: Uncovering All the Parties and Finding Hours of-Service and Other Violations to Pursue Punitive Damages.” Ohio Association for Justice Annual Convention, Columbus, OH, May 6, 2016
Presenter, “Demonstrative Evidence: Using Visual Storytelling to prove Damages,” AAJ Winter Convention, February 26, 2016
Panelist, “Case Selection: Mistakes to Avoid,” Women Trial Lawyers Caucus Leadership Summit, AAJ Winter Convention, February 26, 2016
Presenter, “The Malpractice Risk of Electronic Health Records,” Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity Conference, August 7, 2015
Presenter, “Why Bus Accident Cases are Different from Car Accident Cases,” American Association for Justice Convention in Montreal, Canada, June 13, 2015
Presenter, “Video Depositions – How, When, and Why to Use Them,” at the American Association for Justice Convention in Palm Springs, CA, February 25, 2015
Presenter, “Preparing for Major Truck Injury Cases,” Melvin M. Belli Seminar, MD July 25, 2014
Presenter, Kentucky Association for Justice, “Corporate Representative Deposition in Truck Cases,” Covington, KY 2013
Presenter, American Association for Justice Annual Convention, San Francisco, CA, “Investigating Truck Crashes,” 2013
Presenter, New Jersey Association for Justice, “Investigating Evidence Exhibits in Truck Cases,” Atlantic City, NJ 2012
Panelist, “Leadership in the Law,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute Seminar, Scranton, PA June 29, 2011
Faculty Member, Second Trial Advocacy College: Litigating Truck Collision Cases, American Association for Justice, Kansas City 2011
Presenter, “Discovery in Trucking Cases,” American Association for Justice, Interstate Trucking Litigation Group Seminar, Las Vegas, NV, October 8, 2010
Presenter, “The Butcher, The Baker, and The Candlestick Maker: Persuading the Jury in Tractor Trailer Cases,” American Association for Justice, Interstate Trucking Litigation Group Seminar, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada July 10, 2010
Presenter, “Review & Update: All the Latest Regarding Federal regulations,” American Association for justice Litigating Trucking Seminar, Las Vegas, NV, 2009
Faculty Member, First Trial Advocacy College: “Litigating truck collision cases,” American Association for Justice, Atlanta, GA 2009
Presenter and Moderator, “Selecting, Investigating, Evaluation, and Settling Personal Injury Cases,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 2009
Presenter, “Unique Discovery Issues in Trucking Cases – Not your Daddy’s Deposition,” American Association for Justice Interstate Trucking Litigation Group Seminar, San Francisco, CA, 2009
Frequent lecturer for the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, Pennsylvania Bar Institute and Lorman Educational Service on topics of Trial Strategy and Tactics
Publications and Other Achievements…
Author, Punitive Damages in Truck Crash Cases: What the Courts Are Finding Persuasive. AIEG Voice. Trucking Edition, Spring 2024.
Author, Rule of 3: Industry Standard or Make Believe. AIEG Voice. Trucking Edition, Spring 2023.
Author, Pennsylvania Rules of the Road, 2021-2022 ed., Volume 13, Chapter 9: Commercial Motor Vehicles. Thompson West, 2021.
Podcast, “Building Equity in the Legal Industry from the Inside Out,” Trial Lawyer Nation, May 2018.
Author, “Charting a Course to Justice for Victims of Fertility Treatment Negligence.” The Legal Intelligencer, November 12, 2019
Author, “Retrieving Electronic Crash Data,” Trial Magazine, February 2018.
Author, “The Liability of Hospitals and Doctors Printing 3D Medical Devices,” The Legal Intelligencer Medical Malpractice Supplement, 2017
Author, “Interconnectedness and Manufacturer Responsibility in Automated Vehicles,” The Legal Intelligencer Personal Injury Supplement, 2016
Author, “Corporate Settlement Mills and Victim Compensation,” The Legal Intelligencer, 2015
Author, “The Malpractice Risk of Electronic Health Records,” The Legal Intelligencer, 2015
Author, “Death of the Jury Trial,” Women Trial Lawyers Caucus Newsletter Connections Count, 2014
Author, “Why A-Rod Made Me Love the Constitution More,” American Association of Justice Journal of Interstate Trucking, 2014
Author of “Power-Up Your Discovery In Trucking Cases” for Trial magazine, the official publication of the American Associations for Justice.
Pennsylvania Cable Network commentator, Pennsylvania Superior Court en banc session, Tuesday, April 5, 2011.
Legal Commentator “The Law and You” WYOU 2007-2013
Family & Community
Board Member, Scranton Area Foundation, 2023-present
Member, Board of Trustees, Marywood University 2008-2017; Chair, 2011-2014
Member, Trial Lawyers Care, the largest pro bono effort in the United States following the 2001 terror attacks; represented a rescue worker before the Victim’s Compensation Fund in New York City
Member, Daughters of the American Revolution 2013
Member, Board of Directors, Lake George Land Conservancy, 2006-2011
Member, Peckville Business and Professional Women, Past President 1995-1996
Volunteer, Hope Clinic, providing free legal services to those in need 2006-2016
Marion is married to Congressman Matt Cartwright and is the proud mother of two sons.
Testimonials
I had a complex medical malpractice case and I wasn’t sure if there was an liability there. I felt there was some negligent behavior on the part of some nursing home staff. This firm, through Marion Munley, took me through all the steps necessary to prove negligent behavior that might have caused death of my loved one. She was very compassionate and very detailed and patience. I think they are a terrific firm. There wasn’t anything I disliked… I would highly recommend them as a Personal Injury Law Firm. They also handle all types of car and truck accidents, workers compensation and social security disability. I think they are the best in town.
Guest of Bing
I have worked with Marion through the American Association of Justice, Trucking Litigation Group. Marion has distinguished herself as an inspirational leader who gives of her time for the greater good of all. She is a hard worker accomplishing great results for her clients. She also is willing to share her knowledge with any and all attorneys who have dedicated their practice to representing clients who are the victims of highway crashes. This week, Marion was elected to the AAJ Board of Governors as an at-large Board Member. This achievement demonstrates peer recognition of Marion’s commitment to highway safety. It is with great pleasure that I give Marion the highest of all possible recommendations.
Andy Young – Experienced Trial Attorney with Focus in Trucking Litigation
Marion is a tremendous lawyer and leader within the legal community. She cares deeply about her clients. I have always known her to overcome every obstacle in even the most difficult cases – to achieve justice for her clients. When it comes to personal injury lawyers in Pennsylvania – she is in a very select group of top trial lawyers.
Jason Studinski, Attorney at Studinski Law, LLC
Marion Munley is one of the brightest and most respected lawyers in Northeastern Pennsylvania. I am proud to call her my friend and fellow trial lawyer.
Brian Price, Partner at Dougherty, Leventhal & Price, L.L.P.
Marion not only is an accomplished lawyer who gets great results, but also she brings genuine compassion and zealous advocacy to each person she represents. Our firms have worked together on important cases and I look forward to future opportunities to work together.
