Munley Law Attorneys Named to 2026 Best Lawyers List

Munley Law is pleased to announce that all 10 of its lawyers have been included in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

Our personal injury lawyers received recognition in the following practice areas:

  • Marion Munley – Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
  • Daniel W. Munley – Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
  • James Christopher Munley – Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs, and Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants
  • Caroline Munley – Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs, and Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants
  • Robert W. Munley III – Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs, and Workers’ Compensation – Claimants
  • John M. Mulcahey – Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
  • Katie Nealon – Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs, and Workers’ Compensation – Claimants
  • Melinda Ghilardi – Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs, and Workers’ Compensation – Claimants
  • Edward Monsky – Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs, and Workers’ Compensation – Claimants

Attorney Mackenzie Wilson was named to the 2026 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ list for Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs, and Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants. Ones to Watch™ is an honor given to attorneys early in their legal careers.

Since 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America® list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers on the basis of professional expertise and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing. Lawyers must have at least ten years of experience practicing law to be considered.

The University of Scranton Shares Fall Semester Events

Sept. 2-Oct. 10    Art Exhibit: “Sampler: Fabric Installations by Kay Healy.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Oct. 3-5     8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. “Dancing at Lughnasa” presented by The University Players. Royal Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Ticket prices vary. Call 570-941-4318 or email players@scranton.edu.

Oct. 8       8:30 a.m. 24th Annual U.S. Conference on DISABILITY “A.I.-Access-Action! A conference focused on Access, Advocacy and Employment in an Age of Artificial Intelligence.” McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Registration required. Free. Call 570-941-4308 or visit www.scranton.edu/disabilityconference.

Oct. 8     7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “General Recital” featuring University of Scranton Performance Music student musicians in solo, duo, trio, and small ensemble performances. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Oct. 20     11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “Around the World with A.G. Spalding: The Mystery of an 1888-89 Tourist’s Diary” presented by Tom Shieber, senior curator at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, NY. Rose Room. Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.

Oct. 20-Dec. 12     Art Exhibit: “The Anthracite Coal Industry of Northeastern Pennsylvania.” Selected paintings, sculptures, and works on papers from public and private collections: 1829-1959. Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Oct. 21    7:30 p.m. Henry George Lecture: “Violent Saviors: Development Lessons from the History of Colonialism” presented by William Easterly, Ph.D., professor of economics, New York University. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4048 or email janice.mecadon@scranton.edu.

Oct. 23     5:30 p.m. Asian Studies and the Ethics Across the Curriculum Initiative Lecture: “Nature, Flourishing, and Disability in Aristotle and Mencius” presented by Richard Kim, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy, Loyola University Chicago. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-7643 or email ann.pang-white@scranton.edu. 

Oct. 24     5 p.m. Art Gallery Lecture: “The Anthracite Coal Industry of Northeastern Pennsylvania” presented by Richard Stanislaus, guest curator. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. A reception follows at the Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Oct. 24     6:30 p.m. Asia Club and Asian Studies present Diwali and Navratri, a celebration of two Indian festivals about the triumph of good over evil. Free food and dancing. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Call 570-941-7643 or email ann.pang-white@scranton.edu.

Oct. 25     7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Jazz Band” with guest soloist Marion Felder, drums. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Oct. 26    9 a.m. Open House for prospective students and their families. Various locations on campus. Registration required. Free. Call 888-SCRANTON or email admissions@scranton.edu.

Oct. 30     11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “New Discoveries of the Penn Museum Excavations at Abydos, Egypt” presented by Josef Wegner, Ph.D., professor of Egyptian archaeology; chair, department of Middle Eastern languages and cultures; curator, Egyptian section, Penn Museum, University of Pennsylvania. Rose Room. Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.

Oct. 31     7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “Phantom of the Pipes” featuring organist Christopher Johnson. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Nov. 5-9     8 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. “A Doll’s House, Part 2” presented by The University Players. Studio Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Limited seating, reservations strongly suggested. Ticket prices vary. Call 570-941-4318 or email players@scranton.edu

Nov. 7     5 p.m. Art Gallery Lecture: “New Deal Post Office Murals in the Anthracite Regions of Northeastern Pennsylvania” presented by David Lembeck, independent scholar. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. A reception follows at the Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. The reception is part of Scranton’s First Friday event. Free. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Nov. 9    9 a.m. Open House for prospective students and their families. Various locations on campus. Registration required. Free. Call 888-SCRANTON or email admissions@scranton.edu.

Nov. 11     5 p.m. Slattery Center for Ignatian Humanities and The Jesuit Center: “The Bible, Gender, and Sexuality: Historical Insights and Contemporary Relevance” presented by Amy-Jill Levine, Ph.D., Rabbi Stanley M. Kessler Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, Hartford International University for Religion and Peace; university professor of New Testament and Jewish studies emerita, Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies emerita, professor of New Testament studies emerita, Vanderbilt University. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu. 

Nov. 13     8:30 a.m. Data Science Day features programming tutorial, a keynote speaker and a data science competition for high school students. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Registration required at https://scrantondatacontest.netlify.app/. Call 570-941-6486 or email joseph.klobusicky@scranton.edu.

Nov. 13    5:30 p.m.Schemel Forum with the Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library Collaborative Program Lecture: “From Manuscript to Print: The Journey of Medieval Books” presented by Michael Knies, special collections librarian and university archivist, Weinberg Memorial Library, The University of Scranton. The Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Free. Exhibit and reception follow. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.

Nov. 14     7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton String Orchestra.” Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Nov. 20     11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “America is Ready for a Pro-Peace Foreign Policy. Is Washington?” presented by Matthew Duss, executive director, Center for International Policy, former visiting scholar, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.

Nov. 20    5:30 p.m. Ethics Across the Curriculum Lecture: “Spiritual Alienation and the Quest for God” presented by David McPherson, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, University of Florida’s Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu. 

Nov. 20-22     8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. “Legally Blonde – The Musical” presented by Liva Arts Company. The Royal Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. $5. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.livaartscompany.ludus.com or email livaartscompany@gmail.com.

Nov. 22     7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Symphonic Band. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Dec. 4    5:30 p.m. Slattery Center for Ignatian Humanities Lecture: “Do the Brain and Behavioral Sciences Show That Free Will is an Illusion?” presented by Timothy O’Connor, Ph.D., Mahlon Powell Professor of Philosophy and Cognitive Science, Indiana University. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu. 

Dec. 6     8 p.m. Performance Music: “58th Annual Noel Night” featuring The University of Scranton Singers, String Orchestra and Chamber Ensembles with guest harpist Marg Davis and pianist Ron Stabinsky. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Dec. 14    7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “The Scranton Brass Orchestra Empty Stocking Fund Benefit Concert.” Houlihan-McLean Center. Admission: one new unwrapped toy, new toiletry items or a cash donation. All proceeds will directly benefit local families in need. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Schemel Courses:

Tuesday: Oct. 7     6 p.m. Schemel Forum Course: “American Mothers: Society, Science, and Maternity after the Civil War” presented by Susan Poulson, Ph.D., professor, department of history, The University of Scranton. Room 305, Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.

Mondays: Oct. 20, 27 and Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24            6 p.m. Schemel Forum Course: “Criminal Street Gangs: Causes, Consequences, and Controls” presented by Michael Jenkins, Ph.D., professor, department of criminal justice, chair of the department of criminal justice, cybersecurity, and sociology, The University of Scranton. Room 305, Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.

WIC Nutrition Program Announces Increased Income Guidelines

Maternal and Family Health Services announced that the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program has increased income guidelines allowing more families to participate in the free nutrition education program.

According to the new income guidelines for WIC, beginning on July 1, 2025, a family of four could earn $59,478 annually and qualify for WIC. For a family of three, the income limit is $49,303 to qualify, and a family of two can earn up to $39,128 and qualify for nutrition assistance. A complete list of income guidelines is below.

WIC provides participants with supplemental healthy foods, which contain vital nutrients essential for healthy development during critical growth periods, such as pregnancy, infancy and early childhood. The WIC Nutrition Program is funded through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and provides nutrition education and access to healthy foods for pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and children under the age of 5. To qualify, participants must meet the income guidelines, have a nutritional or medical need, and live in Pennsylvania.

WIC is the nation’s premier public health and nutrition education program with an overall goal to influence lifetime nutrition through positive health behaviors. In addition to the eWIC card which can be used to purchase nutritious foods, WIC participants receive nutrition education, breastfeeding support, immunization record checks, iron deficiency screening, farmers’ market vouchers and referrals for other health and social services. For more information or to apply for WIC, visit www.mfhs.org, or call (570) 273-1288.

The Wright Center: Breastfeeding a Healthy Habit for Mother and Child

National Breastfeeding Month (August) was established to promote human milk in child development, as well as to advance lactation practices and policies. The Wright Center strongly supports this initiative for both patients and employees.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health recognizes breastfeeding as the ideal form of infant nutrition, while the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that women exclusively breastfeed their babies for at least the first six months, and continue up to two years or beyond, depending on the needs and preferences of the mother and child.

Mother’s milk provides unmatched benefits that cannot be replicated by formula. Research shows that breastfeeding lowers an infant’s risk of certain infections, asthma, obesity, and sudden infant death syndrome. For mothers, it reduces the risk of high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and breast and ovarian cancers.

Workplace support for breastfeeding is also an important consideration, especially as women with infants and young children represent the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. labor force. Many women stop breastfeeding upon returning to work due to challenges finding private, safe spaces to pump and store milk. Encouragingly, more employers are now providing designated lactation stations for employees, a trend expected to grow given that breastfeeding-friendly programs are cost-effective and can reduce healthcare claims and employee absences.

The Wright Center has long been committed to supporting breastfeeding employees, and extends this support to patients through its primary and pediatric care services, as well as through the Healthy MOMS (Maternal Opiate Medical Support) program. This collaborative initiative helps pregnant women and new mothers overcome addiction and embrace recovery.

As part of this commitment, The Wright Center secured a $7,500 grant from the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics to provide breastfeeding resources and supplies to Healthy MOMS participants. These include manual breast pumps, storage sets, educational materials, consultations with lactation specialists, and access to breastfeeding counselors. The grant also supported doula training for Healthy MOMS collaborators.

For those seeking additional resources, the Pennsylvania Breastfeeding Referral Guide offers information on lactation specialists, community programs, support groups, coalitions, breast pump rentals, and local, state, and national help lines. Families can also contact the Healthy Baby Line at 1-800-986-BABY (2229).

The Wright Center continues to prioritize the health of breastfeeding women and their children, ensuring ongoing support for their well-being.

NAACP Lackawanna to Host Freedom Fund Bingo

The NAACP Lackawanna County Branch will host its 2nd Annual Freedom Fund Bingo fundraiser on October 11, 2025, at the ANZ Hotel, 300 Meadow Ave, Scranton, PA, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with Bingo and dancing continuing until midnight.

This event will serve as both a celebration of the branch’s achievements and a fundraiser supporting its ongoing efforts to advance civil rights and social justice within the community. During the evening, the branch will honor outstanding leaders and organizations that have made meaningful contributions to the cause, while guests enjoy a night of entertainment, networking, and inspiration.

The theme of this year’s event is “Unity in Unsettled Times.” The NAACP emphasizes that, by working together, the community can overcome challenges and barriers to create a more equitable and inclusive society for all.

Tickets are priced at $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Sponsors will receive VIP seating, and food and drinks will be available for purchase from the ANZ Hotel during the event.

The Wright Center To Host Tinnitus Support Group

The Tinnitus Support Group of Northeast Pennsylvania will meet on Friday, Oct. 3, at 2 p.m. at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn. Virtual meeting options are available for those unable to attend in person. There is no fee to attend. New members are welcome.

The support group welcomes individuals living with tinnitus, their loved ones, and anyone interested in learning more about this complex audiological and neurological condition. Participants will have the opportunity to connect, share their experiences, and explore coping strategies in a compassionate and supportive environment.

Tinnitus, often described as ringing, buzzing, or whooshing in the ears or head, affects over 50 million adults across the U.S., with many experiencing its effects daily. For some, it can be a temporary nuisance, while for others, it becomes a chronic, life-altering condition.

For more information or to obtain the virtual meeting link, contact Nicole Flynn, director of the geriatrics service line at The Wright Center for Community Health, at flynnn@TheWrightCenter.org or 570-230-0019.

The Wright Center Hosting Wonderful Women Breast Cancer Support Group

The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement will host the 2025 Wonderful Women Breast Cancer Support Group program on Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 6-8 p.m. in the auditorium at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton, 501 S. Washington Ave.

Dr. Lisa Thomas, an oncologist with Hematology & Oncology Associates of Northeastern Pennsylvania, will deliver this year’s keynote address, joined by several breast cancer survivors who will share their personal stories.

The program will also feature Julie Rutkowski of the Strong and Coura’Jess Foundation. The foundation was established in 2019 by her daughter, Jessica Rutkowski, after she was diagnosed with stage 4 triple-negative breast cancer. A mother of three, Jessica died in 2021.

The event is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged.

The Wonderful Women Breast Cancer Support Group Committee includes representatives from across The Wright Center enterprise and community partners, united in advancing education, advocacy, and support for those affected by breast cancer.

The Wright Center: Preventative Measures Remain Critical in Breast Cancer

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, making for an ideal opportunity to celebrate the significant gains made, as well as the need for continued vigilance, in the fight against this deadly yet highly treatable disease.

Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. According to the American Cancer Society, about 316,950 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the United States in 2025. Tragically, about 42,170 women will die from the disease this year.

Breast cancer typically affects women ages 50 and older, although too many younger women are now battling it. When people consider their circle of family members, friends, and co-workers, the odds are high that someone they know has been affected by it.

Thankfully, recent advances in early detection and genetic testing of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes have significantly improved treatment of breast cancer, while countless nonprofit organizations and groups have done immense good in terms of awareness, funding, and support services.

Regular self-examinations and routine mammograms are the most effective ways to detect breast cancer early – when it’s easiest to treat, often before symptoms appear or the disease spreads. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the five-year relative survival rate is 99% when breast cancer is found in its earliest, localized stage.

Individuals can lower their risk of breast cancer through preventive measures such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol consumption, and breastfeeding their children.

Throughout October, The Wright Center will be partnering with Lackawanna Mobile X-Ray to offer mammogram screenings at locations in Jermyn, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre.

The Wright Center Announces October ‘Walk With a Doc’ Events

The Wright Center for Community Health invites community members of all ages to step into better health by joining its ongoing Walk with a Doc initiative. These monthly walks promote both physical well-being and community engagement in a friendly environment.

Each event is guided by local doctors and health care professionals who lead participants on a casual walk, offering valuable health tips and engaging in open, health-related discussions. It’s a chance to enjoy gentle exercise, ask questions, and meet others who share an interest in healthy living – all in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

The October Walk with a Doc in Jermyn will take place on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 8 a.m. at the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. Walkers should gather at the Delaware Street Trailhead entrance. The Scranton walk is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 11, at 9 a.m., also along the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, with walkers meeting at the Olive Street entrance.

These events are free and open to the public, welcoming individuals of all fitness levels. No pre-registration is required.

Walk with a Doc is a global nonprofit organization that promotes physical activity and meaningful conversations between physicians and community members. According to the American Heart Association, just 30 minutes of walking per day can improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels, support weight management, boost mental health, and reduce the risk of conditions such as obesity and osteoporosis.