Mary-Ellen H. Allen, Employment Attorney in West Chester, Pennsylvania
Over 27 years of legal practice · focused on Employment, Employment Contracts, and Litigation · 4.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Partner, Co-Chair - Employment Law
West Chester, PA
Practicing employment in West Chester since 1999.
- 27+
- Years practicing
- 4.0 ★
- 1 client review
- 2
- Bar admissions
Practices in
Are you Mary-Ellen H. Allen?
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Quick answer
Mary-Ellen H. Allen is a partner, co-chair - employment law based in West Chester, PA. The practice focuses on Employment, Employment Contracts, and Litigation. Mary-Ellen has over 27 years of legal experience. Rated 4.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- West Chester, PA
- Experience
- over 27 years
- Known for
- Employment · Employment Contracts · Litigation
- Handles Employment, Employment Contracts, and Litigation matters from West Chester, PA.
- Over 27 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with Peer Reviewed.
About Mary-Ellen H. Allen: Mary-Ellen H. Allen is a partner, co-chair - employment law based in West Chester, PA. The practice focuses on Employment, Employment Contracts, and Litigation. Mary-Ellen has over 27 years of legal experience. Rated 4.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
Legal matters Mary-Ellen takes on
Mary-Ellen concentrates on employment, employment contracts, and litigation. Each area below outlines the kind of case Mary-Ellen handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Employment
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Employment Contracts
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Litigation
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Employment cases in West Chester, Pennsylvania
Mary-Ellen takes employment matters in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Mary-Ellen agrees to represent you.
Employment Contracts cases in West Chester, Pennsylvania
Mary-Ellen takes employment contracts matters in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Mary-Ellen agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in West Chester, Pennsylvania
Mary-Ellen takes litigation matters in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Mary-Ellen agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet Mary-Ellen H. Allen — employment lawyer in West Chester
Mary-Ellen H. Allen is a partner, co-chair - employment law based in West Chester, PA. The practice focuses on Employment, Employment Contracts, and Litigation. Mary-Ellen has over 27 years of legal experience. Rated 4.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Mary-Ellen Hannigan Allen is co-chair of the Employment Law Department and a member of the litigation department. She concentrates her practice in employment law and commercial litigation.
After a Judicial Clerkship in the Court of Common Pleas of Chester County for the Honorable Juan R. Sanchez, Mary-Ellen began her career in private practice as a general litigator. After several years, she began specializing in employment law, litigating all types of employment related claims.
Mary-Ellen has extensive experience in handling employment law issues both in and out of the courtroom. She has represented employers before federal and state courts, arbitration hearings and administrative agencies. She has defended claims of unlawful discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, unemployment compensation, breach of contract, trade secret violations and whistleblower complaints.
In addition, Mary-Ellen provides employers with advice and counseling on investigating and resolving complaints, disability accommodation, compensation, and terminations. She also negotiates and drafts severance agreements, employment agreements, restrictive covenants, as well as personnel policies and employee handbooks.
While attending Villanova Law School, Mary-Ellen was an executive member of the Moot Court Board and served as the Theodore Reimel Moot Court Competition Administrator.
AWARDS/RECOGNITION:
• PA Super Lawyer: 2015-2020
• PA Rising Star: 2011-2014
• Named a Philadelphia Inquirer 2019 Influencer of Law, Employment Litigation
• 2017 Main Line Today Top Lawyer
• 2018 Main Line Today Top Lawyer
• 2019 Main Line Today Top Lawyer
COMMUNITY SERVICE & AFFILIATIONS:
• President, Board of Directors, Chester County Bar Foundation
• Immediate Past President, Board of Directors, Chester County Bar Association
• Member, Board of Directors The Arc of Chester County (ARC)
• Member, Board of Directors Uwchlan Ambulance Corps
• Former Member, Board of Directors of Greenbriar Civic Association
• Former President, Board of Directors of the Chester County Art Association
How Mary-Ellen handles employment matters
Mary-Ellen Hannigan Allen is co-chair of the Employment Law Department and a member of the litigation department. She concentrates her practice in employment law and commercial litigation. After a Judicial Clerkship in the Court of Common Pleas of Chester County for the Honorable Juan R. Sanchez, Mary-Ellen began her career in private practice as a general litigator. After several years, she…
Who Mary-Ellen represents
Mary-Ellen reviews new inquiries case-by-case for employment, employment contracts, and litigation matters in West Chester and the surrounding Pennsylvania area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
Villanova University School of Law
J.D. · 1999
Lafayette College
B.A. Government · 1996
Jurisdictions
Mary-Ellen's state bar admissions
United States Distri
2002 · ACTIVE
Pennsylvania
1999 · ACTIVE
Mary-Ellen studied at J.D. in Villanova University School of Law and B.A. Government in Lafayette College.
Law school and academic background
Mary-Ellen completed J.D. in Villanova University School of Law and B.A. Government in Lafayette College. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Mary-Ellen runs in Pennsylvania is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Recognition and thought leadership
Mary-Ellen has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Peer Reviewed
Legal awards and honors
Peer Reviewed.
Locations
Mary-Ellen H. Allen's office in West Chester
Mary-Ellen's primary office is at 1 Unknown, West Chester, PA, 19381. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of Mary-Ellen H. Allen — 4.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of Mary-Ellen. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing employment attorneys in West Chester.
4.0
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Mary-Ellen H. Allen claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire Mary-Ellen H. Allen — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new employment attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Mary-Ellen usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Mary-Ellen charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Mary-Ellen's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Mary-Ellen will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a employment attorney in West Chester, Pennsylvania
A short list to run through before you commit: How many employment matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Mary-Ellen
Mary-Ellen discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in employment practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every employment matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Mary-Ellen confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Mary-Ellen's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many employment practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Mary-Ellen H. Allen
How much does it cost to hire Mary-Ellen for a employment case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Mary-Ellen walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Mary-Ellen offer a free consultation?
Mary-Ellen charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Mary-Ellen's office. Some employment attorneys offer free consults — check Mary-Ellen's current terms during booking.
How long do employment cases in Pennsylvania typically take?
Simple employment matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Mary-Ellen gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Mary-Ellen take my case if I'm outside West Chester?
Mary-Ellen is licensed in Pennsylvania. Matters governed by Pennsylvania law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Mary-Ellen will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Mary-Ellen?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Mary-Ellen will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Mary-Ellen accepting new employment clients right now?
Mary-Ellen's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Employment attorneys serving West Chester, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania
Mary-Ellen handles employment matters throughout Pennsylvania. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified employment attorneys in that community.
More counsel
Other top-rated employment attorneys in Pennsylvania
If Mary-Ellen's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these employment attorneys in West Chester handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.

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