Lauren Melfa Catanzarite

Upon graduation from Duquesne University School of Law, Lauren practiced criminal defense and appellate law as a trial associate with the Allegheny County Office of Conflict Counsel where she tried more than two dozen cases to verdict, including homicides, assaults and other complex felonies. Her term there was followed by two clerkships, the first with the Honorable Eugene B. Strassburger, III (Decd.), a senior judge specially assigned to the Pennsylvania Superior Court. In that position, she researched, analyzed, and drafted memoranda and published opinions on a wide variety of legal issues, including civil, criminal and family law cases. In 2017, she accepted a clerkship with Magistrate Judge Robert C. Mitchell (Ret.) in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, which allowed her to focus exclusively on federal civil litigation, primarily employment discrimination and civil rights cases.

Through her unique background in litigation and experience as a judicial law clerk in both state and federal court, Lauren has a thorough understanding of courtroom and legal procedure as well as judicial decision-making, which makes her an invaluable strategic resource to Marcus & Shapira’s clients. Her extensive courtroom, research, and writing experience provide her with the tools necessary to effectively manage clients’ cases at all stages of litigation.

In addition to her law practice, Lauren is proud to serve her community as an elected member of the Thornburg (PA) Borough Council and is an active member of the Thornburg Community Club and the Allegheny County Bar Association.

Elected Positions

Borough Council Member, Thornburg Borough Council, 2022-present

Volunteer Work

Co-Chair, Thornburg Capital Fundraising Campaign, 2022

Mentor, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh, 2017-2021

Regional Coordinator, Pennsylvania Bar Association’s High School Mock Trial Competition, 2014-2021

Speeches

Moderator, “Federal Practice in a Virtual Platform: Being the Best Advocate in the New Normal,” Allegheny County Bench Bar Association Federal Court Section CLE 2022

Moderator, “Federal Court Civil Practice – Commencement Through Post-Trial,” Federal Court Section, 2021