Carol A. VanderWoude

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    Carol is a member of the Appellate Advocacy and Post-Trial Practice Group in the Professional Liability Department.  She focuses her practice on drafting concise, forceful briefs and delivering persuasive oral arguments in state and federal trial and appellate courts. Carol handles appeals across a wide range of subject areas which include, among others, products liability, toxic torts, medical malpractice, insurance coverage, civil rights, professional liability and premises liability.  As part of her practice, Carol regularly handles emergency matters which arise throughout the course of litigation and assists trial counsel with development of legal strategies, preparation of pre-trial motions, trial briefs, and post-trial motions. She also performs appellate monitoring of high-exposure trials to assist trial counsel in preserving issues for appeal. This assistance includes handling and arguing legal issues before the trial court so trial counsel can focus on witnesses and the presentation of evidence. 

    In addition to her practice, Carol is actively involved in Pennsylvania defense organizations and informing members of the defense bar about notable legal developments. Currently, Carol serves as co-editor of Counterpoint, the well-regarded magazine of the Pennsylvania Defense Institute. She has also hosted statewide teleconferences of defense counsel regarding new legal developments.

    Prior to joining Marshall Dennehey in 2005, Carol worked for five years as a staff attorney for the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit where she drafted memoranda of law and opinions on a variety of subjects including civil rights, employment, bankruptcy, immigration, securities and tax law. 

    Carol graduated from California State University, San Marcos, magna cum laude, with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. She subsequently attended American University, Washington College of Law, where she obtained her juris doctor, cum laude, in 2001. While attending law school, Carol taught legal research and writing and served as a member of the American University Law Review.

    Published Works

    "Equipment Manufacturers Liable for Replacement Parts Under Maritime Law, SCOTUS Says," Legal Updates for Toxic Torts Litigation, March 19, 2019

    “En Banc PA Superior Court Vacates $14.5 Million Asbestos Verdict and Remands for New Trial,” Legal Updates for Toxic Torts Litigation, January 2015

    "Addressing Malfunction Theory for First Time in 20 Years: Pennsylvania Supreme Court Clarifies Burden of Proof in Product Liability Case Based Upon Malfunction Theory," Defense Digest, Vol. 16, No. 1, March 2010

    Admissions
    Pennsylvania
    2005
    U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania
    2005
    Education
    California State University San Marcos (B.A., magna cum laude, 1997)
    Washington College of Law, American University (J.D., cum laude, 2001)
    Associations & memberships
    Pennsylvania Bar Association
    Philadelphia Bar Association
    Year joined
    2005