Melissa A. Scartelli | Scartelli Olszewski, P.C.
Melissa A. Scartelli

Melissa A. Scartelli

Founder & President

She is a member of the prestigious Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which requires members to secure at least one multi-million dollar verdict, award or settlement. She is also a member of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, which requires members to have tried at least 10 civil jury trials to conclusion. Melissa is one of few women attorneys in Northeast Pennsylvania to be a Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate which requires completion of numerous jury trials and passing a written test. For years, she has been named among Pennsylvania’s Super Lawyers, a recognition earned by fewer than 5 percent of the state’s attorneys.

A native of Scranton, Pa., Melissa has remained dedicated to representing innocent victims of accidents and malpractice. In 2001, she founded the firm that would later become Scartelli Olszewski, P.C. Melissa takes pride in getting to know her clients personally. She takes seriously her slogan “Small enough to care, large enough to win.”

A 1987 graduate of The Dickinson School of Law, Melissa was captain of the trial moot court team and received the Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy by the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. Melissa served in the past on the Leadership Council for the Penn State Dickinson Law. In 2008, she established a scholarship at the law school in memory of her late parents Marilyn B. and Edward R. Scartelli. The scholarship is given annually to a law school applicant from Northeastern Pennsylvania who has no other lawyers in the immediate family. Melissa is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of Scranton Preparatory School, her alma mater.

Melissa is admitted to practice before all of Pennsylvania’s state courts, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and enjoys practicing law with her husband, attorney Peter Paul Olszewski, Jr., who also is a shareholder with the firm. In 2020, Melissa and Peter Paul Olszewski welcomed daughter Rachel Olszewski, Esq. as a member of the firm’s legal team. Melissa enjoys skiing, gifting, kayaking, and hiking with her dog, Miranda.

Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
  • United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

Education

  • The Dickinson School of Law, J.D., 1987
  • Dickinson College, B.A., Cum Laude, 1984
  • Scranton Preparatory School, 1980

Honors & Awards

  • Super Lawyers, 2009-present
  • Best Lawyers, 2016-present
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, 2010-2016
  • Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, 2014
  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum, 2011
  • Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate, National Board of Trial Advocacy, 2011
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, 2009-2010
  • Pennsylvania State Police’s Highest Citizenship Award, 2005
  • International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy, 1987

Experience

  • Scartelli Olszewski, P.C., President/Shareholder, 2001-Present
  • Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn, P.C., Associate, 1989-1993; Shareholder, 1993-2001
  • Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas Judge S. John Cottone, Law Clerk, 1987-1989

Professional & Community Affiliations

  • Multi Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • American Association for Justice
  • Lackawanna Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2002-2008
  • Luzerne County Bar Association, Social Committee, 1999-Present
  • Northeastern Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, President, 2000-2001
  • Pennsylvania Association for Justice
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Trial Lawyers for Public Justice
  • Dickinson Law School, Board of Overseers
  • Scranton Preparatory School, Board of Trustees
  • Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, 2023-Present

Honors & Awards

Melissa A. Scartelli - The National Trial Lawyers Association - Top 100

The National Trial Lawyers Association - Top 100

Our Team

Melissa A. Scartelli

Melissa A. Scartelli

Founder & President

Peter Paul Olszewski - Managing Partner

Peter Paul Olszewski, Jr.

Managing Partner

Rachel D. Olszewski - Attorney

Rachel D. Olszewski

Attorney

Kristin A. Mazzarella

Kristin A. Mazzarella

Attorney

Miranda

Miranda