Joseph M. Melillo - Harrisburg, PA

Joseph M. Melillo Overview

Listed in the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America*, Joe Melillo has also been recognized by his peers as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer. Joe is a member of the Million Dollar Advocate’s Forum, and is a finalist on LawDragon’s list of nationally recognized Plaintiff’s attorneys.

Joe is an exceptionally talented trial lawyer who, on behalf of his clients, has won jury verdicts in excess of $1 Million in Dauphin, Cumberland and Lycoming Counties, as well as in Federal Court.

He has acted as amicus counsel for the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association (now the Pennsylvania Association of Justice) and tried cases to verdict throughout Central Pennsylvania, including in Adams, Bedford, Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Lebanon, Lancaster, Lycoming, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Union, and York County courts. Mr. Melillo has also tried federal cases in the Federal District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. His involvement in appellate impact cases includes Pappas vs. Asbel (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania), Tonkovic vs. State Farm (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania), and Griggs vs. BIC (Third Circuit Court of Appeals).

Joe has argued cases before the United States Supreme Court, Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and Third Circuit Court of Appeals. In 1989, he argued the case of Paul Green vs. Bock Laundry Machine Company to the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States in Washington, D.C. The argument can be heard and read here.

Joe has authored several published articles in his field, including: “Representing the Victims of School Bus Accidents” (The Barrister, Spring 1991), “The Psychotherapist-Patient Privilege in Pennsylvania: A Plaintiff’s Perspective” (The Barrister, Spring 1995), and “Pre-empting Pre-emption (The Barrister, Fall 1999). Joe also lectures for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s continuing legal education programs for attorneys.

Joe has participated in a number of community organizations. He has served as President of the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg, The Harrisburg Torch Club, and the Forest Hills Association of Neighbors.

Practice Areas

• Personal Injury
• Civil Litigation
• Medical Malpractice
• Product Liability
• Insurance Litigation
• Federal Statutory Claims

Litigation