Robert P. Schenk

Robert is the Managing Attorney for the Workers' Compensation Department in the firm's Philadelphia office. He has developed his practice exclusively in the area of workers' compensation litigation and has represented large, self-insured entities and third-party administrators in all manner of workers' compensation matters. While doing so, Robert has been awarded an AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell. He has also lectured before various organizations on topics related to workers' compensation.

Robert's interest in politics has overlapped with his work in the field of workers' compensation. He was appointed to the Administration's Committee promulgating the proposed rules to administer Act 57. On that committee, he helped draft the regulations which ultimately implemented the Act 57 amendments. Robert was also elected to the South Harrison Township (New Jersey) Committee in 2011 and continues to serve in this capacity. From 2007-2011, he served on the township's Planning and Zoning Board.

Prior to beginning his legal career, Robert served in the United States Marine Corps. He was decorated five times during his service and was honorably discharged in 1987. Following his military service, Robert graduated from Western Connecticut State University and went on to receive his juris doctor from Villanova School of Law.

An avid photographer, Robert is also a licensed commercial drone pilot.

Honors & Awards

•AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
•The Best Lawyers in America, Workers' Compensation Law - Employers (2026)

Classes/Seminars Taught

•PA Workers’ Compensation Law: How to Produce the Best IME Reports, webinar, November 6, 2025
•PA Workers' Comp Case Law Update, webinar, October 23, 2020
•The Meat and Potatoes of Affirmative Defenses, Marshall Dennehey Workers' Compensation Seminar, October 19, 2017
•Course and Scope, Marshall Dennehey Workers' Compensation Seminar, October 27, 2016
•Settlements and Subrogation, Marshall Dennehey Workers' Compensation Seminar, October 30, 2014
•Dial 'I' For IRE - An Overview of Impairment Rating Evaluations in Pennsylvania, Marshall Dennehey Workers' Compensation Seminar, Philadelphia, PA, November 30, 2012
•Workers' Compensation Case Law Update, Marshall Dennehey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 2008
•W.C. Claims Handling Strategies, Providence Property and Casualty Co., Dallas, Texas, April 2008
•Workers' Compensation Case Law Update, Marshall Dennehey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 2007
•Basic PA Case Handling for Adjusters, Providence Property and Casualty Co., Dallas, Texas, November 2006
•Litigating W.C. Construction Cases in PA, KHS&S Contractors, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, September 2006
•Current Issues in PA Workers' Compensation, Old Republic Ins. Co., Greensburg, Pennsylvania, September 2005
•Effective Marketing Techniques for Partner and Associates, Marshall Dennehey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 2005
•Workers' Compensation Case Law Update, Morris., CLE, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 2005
•Basic Claims Handling -PA Workers' Compensation Cases, CNA, Reading, Pennsylvania, October 2003
•Handling Claims in PA, ACE/USA, ESIS, Wilmington, Delaware, July 2003
•Workers' Compensation Case Law Update, McLaughlin., CLE, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 2002
•Current Case Law Update, PAWCCA, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, May 2002
•Status of Vocational Rehabilitation in Light of Current Case Law, Concentra, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, March 2002
•Successful File Management and Billing Guidelines, Marshall Dennehey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 2001
•Avoiding Pitfalls Inherent to the Use of Bureau Forms, RSKCO, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, August 2000
•Proving Fraudulent Claims Under Act 57, Sumitomo Marine Management (USA), Inc., Warren, New Jersey, February 1998
•Practical Management of Cases under Act 57, PMA Insurance Company, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, June 1997
•Large Firm v. Small Firm, Advantages for the New Associate's Consideration, PA Bar Association's Law School Practicum, Widener School of Law, Wilmington, Delaware, April 1995

Published Works

•'Attorney’s Fees for a Frivolous Appeal: An Old Cloak Gets a New Owner,' Defense Digest, Vol. 21, No. 2, June 2015
•'Killing Constituents: The Current Status of the Utilization Review Process,' Defense Digest, Volume 18, No. 1, March 2012
•'Losing Sight of Act 44 -Judicial Rollback of Legislative Medical Savings,' Defense Digest, March 2008

Results

Landscaper’s injury claims terminated.

We successfully handled a landscaper’s claim of a work-related low back injury. The claimant gave an inconsistent account of how his injury occurred, and when he gave notice. The defense presented five fact witnesses from the employer, two of whom testified the claimant never gave notice, and three of whom testified he told them he was going to fabricate this Workers’ Compensation injury because he wouldn’t be entitled to unemployment compensation benefits at the end of the season. Coincidentally, the testimony revealed the claimant did not receive unemployment compensation benefits. The IME physician found that the claimant fully recovered from any injury he sustained. The claimant subsequently had two surgeries, with $750,000 in medical bills (unadjusted). The judge found that the claimant sustained a low back sprain and then terminated him as of the date of the IME.

News

98 Marshall Dennehey Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America

August 20, 2025