Melissa Merk

Melissa Merk is a partner at Kline & Specter with extensive experience in complex litigation involving pharmaceuticals and medical devices from her prior work at two large, global law firms. Her current practice focuses on mass torts and product liability cases. She managed approximately 7,500 cases involving pharmaceutical anti-psychotic medication litigation, serving as trial counsel and conducting and defending hundreds of depositions. Before joining Kline & Specter, Merk was a partner at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, where she served as member and vice chair of the Products Liability Practice Group. She directed teams managing litigation, coordinating with experts, drafting motions, and preparing cases for trial, including anti-psychotic drug and vaginal mesh litigation.

Previously, Merk worked at Reed Smith LLP on commercial litigation before transitioning to the product liability group, where she prepared for and participated in numerous mass tort trials involving prescription medications and managed thousands of mass tort claims. She clerked for U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez in New Jersey and at Hinkle, Fingles & Prior in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. At Rider University, she was named a Presidential Scholar each year of attendance. At Rutgers Law School, she earned Dean's Merit Scholar status, served as lead articles editor for the Rutgers Law Journal, and taught First Year Research and Writing and Moot Court.