Leaders Learn From Associates: An Associates Perspective

Christopher Merken is a litigation associate in Dechert LLP’s Philadelphia office.  Mr. Merken litigates in federal and state appellate and trial courts across the country where his practice focuses on business disputes, complex commercial litigation, labor and employment disputes, and appellate matters.  He has also represented clients in internal and governmental investigations involving the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the New York Attorney General.  Before joining Dechert, Mr. Merken served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Jane R. Roth of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the Honorable Madeline H. Haikala of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.  Mr. Merken earned his B.A. from the University of Delaware, his J.D. from Villanova Law School, and his LL.M. in trial advocacy from Temple Law School. 

Jordan is an associate with Wilson Elser’s Philadelphia Office where he is in the firm’s Complex Tort, General Casualty and Transportation groups. He currently is the Chair of the Young Lawyer’s Division of the Philadelphia Bar Association and a member of the Barristers Association of Philadelphia, Professional Liability Underwriting Society, Claims and Litigation Management Alliance. He gives back to Fairfield University by serving as a member of their Pre-Law Advisory Council and as a Young Alumni Member of the Fairfield Awards Dinner Committee. Prior to entering civil practice, he practiced criminal defense for both private law firms and the Defender Association of Philadelphia. He earned his B.A. from Fairfield University and his J.D. from Western New England University.

Lance, a dedicated litigator and counselor, proudly serves Lancaster, Dauphin, and York counties in Pennsylvania. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, and raised in Bay Shore, Long Island, he now resides in Lancaster County with his wife, Courtney, and their 3-year-old daughter, Zoe. Lance’s versatile practice spans civil and criminal investigations, commercial litigation, and Title IX cases, we he assists in the representation of K-12 school and higher education institutions. Additionally, he provides compassionate legal support to juveniles facing criminal charges as a court-appointed attorney in both Lancaster and Dauphin counties. Lance started his practicing legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Lancaster County, where he was appointed supervisor and Chief prosecutor of the Juvenile Court Division. His trial experience—ranging from jury trials to suppression hearings and everything between—earned him respect for his fair and empathetic approach to resolving cases, particularly in shaping brighter futures for youth. Lance’s legal journey includes a summer internship at the United States Attorney’s Office and selection as 1 of 5 in a national search as a NAACP Kellogg’s Summer Law Fellow, in which he worked on high-profile civil rights and environmental justice projects for the legal department of the NAACP. He is deeply involved in professional and civic organizations, He is currently a member of the Lancaster, York, Dauphin, Philly and Pennsylvania Bar Associations. Lance also serves on the boards of director of the Lancaster Law Foundation, Assets of Lancaster, and Leadership Lancaster. Lance’s leadership roles include Chair of the Diversity Committee of the Lancaster Bar Association, Co-Vice Chair of the PBA Minority Bar Committee, Chair at large to the PBA’s Young Lawyer’s Division Council, Zone-3 Member of the PBA House of Delegates, Diversity liaison for the Criminal Justice Section of the PBA, all showcasing his commitment to diversity, mentorship, and justice. Lance’s unwavering dedication to his clients and community exemplifies his belief in the transformative power of the law and its potential to create meaningful change.