Melinda C. Ghilardi
Melinda Ghilardi is a trial lawyer with more than 30 years of experience. Prior to joining Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, Melinda worked as a First Assistant Federal Public Defender for the Middle District of Pennsylvania for nearly three decades. Melinda began her career as an Assistant District Attorney in Lackawanna County.
Honors and Awards
- Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, 2022
- Lackawanna Pro Bono, Robert W. Munley Distinguished Service Award, 2016
- Athena Award, Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, 2005
- Pennsylvania Bar Association Commission on Women in the Profession, Lynette Norton Award, 2004
- Scranton-Pocono Council, Girl Scouts of America, Woman of Distinction, 2000
University of Scranton, Frank J. O’Hara Alumni Award, 2000
Education
- The University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Juris Doctor
- The University of Scranton, Bachelor of Science, Public Administration, magna cum laude
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania
- District of Columbia
- Supreme Court of the United States
- Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
- United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association:
- Board of Governors
- Unit County Governor 2019 – present
- Woman Governor 2012 – 2015
- Bar Leadership Institute
- Co-Chair 2016 – 2019
- Commission on Women in the Profession
- Executive Council 2006 – present
- Co-Chair 2010 – 2012
- Secretary 2003 – 2004
- House of Delegates, Zone Five
- Committee on Credentials and Admission
- Review and Certifying Board
- Federal Practice Committee
- Healthcare Law Committee 2020 – present
- Diversity Team 2019 – present
- Elder Law Section, 2019 – present
- Judicial Administration Committee, 2019 – present
- Government Lawyers Committee, 2019 – 2020
- Finance Committee, 2012 – 2015
- Legal Services to Persons with Disabilities Committee, 2012 – 2015
- Board of Governors
- American Association for Justice
- Insurance Law Section, Business Interruption Task Force, 2020 – present
- Nursing Home Litigation Group, 2020 – present
- Women Trial Lawyers Caucus, 2019 – present
- Melvin M. Belli Society, 2019 – present
- Pennsylvania Association for Justice
- Women Leaders Section, 2021 – present
- Lackawanna Bar Association
- President, 2004
- Lackawanna Bar Foundation, Vice President
- Association of Women Lawyers of Lackawanna County, Treasurer
- National Association of Federal Defenders, Secretary
- National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
- Federal Bar Association, Middle District of Pennsylvania Chapter, 1993 – 2019
Presentations and Speaking Engagements
- Speaker, “Insurance Broker/Agent Liability,” AAJ Summer Convention, July 2022.
- Speaker, “State of Women in the Law in Pennsylvania: Lessons from Two Pennsylvania Initiatives to Track Advance Women Leaders and Lawyers,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute, December 2016.
- Course Planner, “Best Sentencing Practices in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania,” Pennsylvania Bar Association, Federal Practice Committee, October 2016.
- Participant, “Sentencing Strategy Session for Federal Public and Community Defenders (Restorative Justice, Challenging Relevant Conduct, Mental Health, Brainstorming Immigration Cases, Crimes of Violence/Violent Felonies, Consequences of Race, Ethnicity and Wealth Inequality, The Future of Sentencing),” Administrative Office of the United States Courts, Defender Service Office, Training Branch, September 2016
- Course Planner, “Federal Criminal Defense Training (Ethics, The Ins & Outs of Social Media Records, Sentencing Guidelines Update, Case Budgeting and Excess Compensation Cases, E-Voucher 101, Third Circuit Update & Practice Tips, Update on Johnson Litigation),” Federal Public Defender’s Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania, March 2016
- Presenter, “Impact and Preview of the Supreme Court of the United States on Federal Practice,” Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Summer Meeting, August 2015
Community
- Women’s Resource Center of Scranton, Barbara J. Hart Justice Center Legal Committee
- Geisinger Northeast Advisory Council, Co-Chair
- Geisinger Women’s Health Volunteer Leadership Council, Co-Chair
- University of Scranton Panuska College of Professional Studies Board of Visitors
- University of Scranton Counseling and Human Services Advisory Committee
- Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania, Board of Directors 2013-2019
- Pennsylvania Business and Professional Women’s Club
- Circle 200 Forum for Senior Level Executive Women, Board of Directors