Highly accomplished medical malpractice trial lawyer and licensed nurse, Suzanne M. Utke, RN, BSN, MHA, J.D., has joined Marshall Dennehey’s Philadelphia office as a shareholder in the Health Care Department. Previously, she was a partner at Weber Gallagher.
For more than two decades, Ms. Utke has represented physicians, nurses, and all manner of health care professionals and corporate health care facilities against medical malpractice claims and lawsuits. Prior to earning her law degree, she had a successful career in medicine as a critical care nurse working in clinical settings at some of Philadelphia’s most prestigious medical hospitals. She also was a Nursing Administrator for several years, tenured in area hospitals’ Intensive Care Units, Emergency Rooms and Obstetric Departments.
“There are few medical malpractice attorneys in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who possess the depth of experience in both law and medicine that Suzanne brings to the table,” said T. Kevin FitzPatrick, Director of Marshall Dennehey’s Health Care Department. “Her nursing background and institutional knowledge of health care systems and operations give her the edge in defending medical professional liability claims, and she has the track record to prove it. We are delighted to welcome her aboard.”
Ms. Utke’s health care liability practice also focuses on the defense of behavioral health claims, as well as claims involving medical devices and associated liability. She also represents physicians and physician practice groups in negotiation with health care systems for employment matters and mergers. Admitted to practice in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, she has prevailed in defense verdicts appealed to the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Supreme Courts.
Ms. Utke’s academic pedigree includes the Thomas Jefferson University School of Nursing where she earned her R.N; a B.S.N. in nursing from Widener University School of Nursing; a Masters in Health Administration (M.H.A.) from St. Joseph’s University; and a J.D. from the Widener University School of Law.
She is rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating for an attorney’s professional and ethical competence. Among her numerous professional affiliations, she is a member of the New Jersey Trial Attorneys Association, the Philadelphia Association of Defense Counsel, the Society of Healthcare Risk Managers (Philadelphia chapter), the Defense Research Institute (Medical Liability & Health Care Law, and Drug and Medical Device Committees), and the National Association of Professional Women.
