Overview
Melanie Stevenson joins Faegre Drinker as an OnRamp Fellow with the distinction of unique experience as both a practicing legal professional and a registered nurse.
After law school, Melanie began her career as a law clerk for President Judge Robert A. Freedberg in the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas. She then gained experience as a trial attorney and lead counsel where Melanie represented insured individuals and a major insurance company in the defense of bodily injury and property damage lawsuits. She handled challenging fraud investigations and conducted arbitrations, jury and bench trials. Melanie has also practiced as a sole practitioner, an associate in Philadelphia-area firms and as an assistant city solicitor for the City of Philadelphia Law Department Civil Rights Unit.
After nearly 20 years in the practice of law, Melanie shifted her focus to serving the community on the front lines of health care. She graduated cum laude from Villanova University’s nursing program and spent several years in the medical field, working with patients across the age and critical care spectrum.
Melanie is now bringing her career full circle through the OnRamp fellowship, which supports attorneys returning to the profession. Faegre Drinker’s clients can benefit from her uncommon and valuable combination of industry knowledge and real-world experience.
Outside of the office, Melanie is heavily involved in community programs through Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Melanie also provides guidance to students at Rowan University and Stockton University on their community service initiatives.
Related Legal Services
Related Industries
Credentials
Bar Admissions
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Education
Villanova University
B.S. in Nursing, cum laude (2017)
Temple University Beasley School of Law
J.D. (1998)
Rutgers University
B.A. in Political Science and Journalism, with high honors (1993)
Insights & Events
Honors
- Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2023
This award is conferred by Faegre Drinker. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. - Temple University Beasley School of Law — Barrister Award – Excellence in Trial Advocacy I; Outstanding Oral Advocacy – Trial Advocacy II; Distinguished Class Performance – Constitutional Law; Distinguished Class Performance – Family Law/Custody