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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
  • 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

Contact Melinda C. Ghilardi

Email: [email protected]

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