Melissa Merk Email & Phone Number

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Represent individuals who have been injured by defective products, including consumer goods and pharmaceuticals.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Led team of professionals through aggressive discovery schedules and trial preparation in high volume mass tort litigation.• Oversaw coordinated defense of thousands of claims involving antipsychotic medication in mass tort litigation venued in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas from initial records collection and depositions through expert reports, dispositive motions, and trial to ensure compliance with court-imposed deadlines and consistency across cases.• Advised client on defense and trial themes, potential areas of exposure and lessons learned in order to minimize risk in future matters and maximize opportunities for resolution.• Took depositions of hundreds of fact and expert witnesses for use in motions and at trial, resulting in summary judgment in multiple matters and other positive results for client.• Partnered with clients to prepare company witnesses for testimony at deposition and trial.• Researched science related to medications and devices at issue in order to effectively communicate with experts, depose physicians, and conduct individual case assessments.• Represented pharmaceutical clients in claims of unfair trade practices brought by state attorneys general, resulting in directed verdict in trial in Philadelphia.• Cultivated professional environment as Vice Chair of Products Liability Group to encourage sharing of best practices related to personnel enrichment and business development opportunities.• Sponsored associates to prepare them for partnership and other roles with increasing responsibility with an eye toward career advancement.

Princeton, New Jersey, United States

Supported partners in all aspects of life sciences litigation.• Participated in dozens of mass tort trials, involving diet medication, hormone replacement therapy and other pharmaceutical products, with responsibility for managing day-to-day trial team tasks, drafting trial motions and preparing trial demonstratives. These efforts prepared trial lawyers to present and cross examine witnesses and argue trial motions.• Served as local counsel to draft and revise motions for summary judgment, expert motions and motions in limine in coordination with national counsel, resulting in timely and quality filing consistent with case management orders in hundreds of cases.• Conducted discovery and drafted multiple discovery motions in international accounting fraud case, resulting in favorable resolution for client.

Camden County, New Jersey, United States

• Researched, drafted and edited initial versions of opinions and orders.• Observed civil jury trials and prepared draft jury instructions.

Doctor Of Law - Jd

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Accounting