Melissa Devich Cochran
Member
Litigation
J.D. Duquesne University School of Law
B.A. Saint Vincent College
Office:
Southpointe, PA
(724) 749-3104
Biography
Melissa Devich Cochran focuses her practice on product liability, particularly asbestos litigation, where she represents and defends numerous and varied equipment manufacturers, outside contractors and supplier companies. Melissa's day-to-day asbestos practice includes overseeing and directly participating in all phases of litigation, from investigation to trial, throughout Western Pennsylvania. She also participates in discovery in Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and Madison County, Illinois. In addition, Melissa serves as assistant national counsel for a manufacturing defendant. Melissa's concentration on her asbestos practice enables her to provide clients with attentive, insightful and cost-effective strategies to combat the ever-evolving challenges of this fast-paced litigation.
As an experienced property and casualty attorney, Melissa represents clients in magistrate and arbitration level trials involving automobile accidents, premises liability claims and product liability suits.
Memberships & Awards
Professional
The Best Lawyers in America®Pennsylvania Super Lawyer Rising Star, 2012-2013Pennsylvania Bar AssociationUnited States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Key Experience
Serves as a representative on the Western Pennsylvania Asbestos Defense Group Subcommittee for asbestos litigation acting as a liaison between the defense bar and the court
Responsible for the management of high-volume, asbestos defense litigation in Western Pennsylvania, including directing and developing trial strategy; participating in pre-trial and trial activities; attending and defending depositions; responding to written discovery; retaining and coordinating expert reviews; and arguing motions and negotiating settlements
Represented child welfare agency in Department of Public Welfare and appellate court proceedings
Know-How
Alert
Work Experience
2017 Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
2005-2017 Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin
2003-2005 Ekker, Kuster, McConnell & Epstein, LLP
2005-2017 Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin
2003-2005 Ekker, Kuster, McConnell & Epstein, LLP
Speaking Engagements
“Causation Decisions Around the Country,” DRI - Asbestos Medicine Seminar, November 2-3, 2017, Las Vegas, NV"Eastern District Court of Pennsylvania Predicts Applicability of the "Bare Metal" Defense in Pennsylvania Asbestos Litigation," Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin - Defense Digest, Vol. 22, No. 3, September 2016"Ford Motor Company Obtains Defense Verdict in Allegheny County Mesothelioma Case," Legal Updates for Toxic Torts Litigation, December 2, 2016Defending Damages, Panel Moderator, Defense Research Institute (DRI) Asbestos Medicine Conference, November 5, 2015The Fair Share Act, Transparency, and the Effect of Bankruptcy Claims on Pending Civil Litigation, National Business Institute CLE Seminar on Asbestos Litigation, August 12, 2014