Ashley R. Lynam is co-chair of Montgomery McCracken and a member of the firm’s Management Committee and Hiring Committee. Additionally, she serves as the firm’s co-trustee of the U.S. Law Firm Group. Ashley is as a trusted advisor and entrepreneurial advocate for her clients ranging from family-owned businesses to Fortune 500 companies. She handles all aspects of litigation across the full range of corporate and contract disputes, as well as antitrust and trade secret counseling, personal injury disputes, executive compensation counseling and catastrophic event response. She has successfully first-chaired trials in all such areas.
Known for her ability to creatively advocate, Ashley has handled the investigation, prosecution and defense of claims for clients including high profile commercial organizations, publicly-traded companies, sports teams, startups, technology companies, pharmaceutical companies, homeowners, hotels, educational institutions, charitable and social services organizations and more.
Chair of the Firm’s Sexual Misconduct Liability Practice Group, Ashley approaches each matter with sensitivity to the nuanced and correlated legal issues that arise in ever-changing corporate, employment and educational environments. She is well-known for vigorously protecting her client’s confidentiality while nevertheless providing aggressive representation, given the sensitive nature of sexual misconduct claims. In addition to trying dozens of jury and bench trials, Ashley has also obtained successful resolutions via summary judgment and other motions, all while managing her client’s important privacy, public interest and policy concerns throughout litigation and resolution.
Ashley has considerable experience in the analysis, implementation and evaluation of written sexual assault and molestation policies and procedures, as well as the proactive investigation of alleged sexual assault and representation of corporate representatives, current and former employees and independent contractors, and other witnesses for deposition and trial. She also provides wrap-around crisis management services to clients in the public, private, college and university setting, specializing in VAWA and Clery Act compliance as well as investigating, adjudicating, and advisory services under Title IX and student conduct policies. Ashley is certified by the SUNY Student Conduct Institute.
Ashley graduated summa cum laude as a business major from Villanova University and cum laude from Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law, where she was an executive member of the Moot Court Board. Ashley began her career as a rape prosecutor at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. She is currently a member of the Firm’s Management Committee, which serves to steer the business decisions of the Firm’s future. Ashley lives in Berwyn with her husband, Shane, their two daughters, Lilly and Violet, and dog, Dominic. She never misses a Villanova basketball game.
RELATED Practices
White Collar and Government Investigations
Sexual Misconduct Liability
Montgomery McCracken’s Sexual Misconduct Liability Practice provides comprehensive risk management, investigation, and litigation defense services to an array of clients facing sexual misconduct, assault, harassment, and other abuse-related claims. The […]
Learn more about our Sexual Misconduct Liability Practice
Commercial Litigation
Montgomery McCracken’s Commercial Litigation Practice has a long and illustrious history. We handle a wide range of individual and corporate disputes involving virtually every area of personal and business endeavors […]
Learn more about our Commercial Litigation Practice
Litigation
Montgomery McCracken’s Litigation Department offers a deep bench of skilled and experienced litigators whose practice areas encompass a broad array of industries and substantive legal disciplines. Our clients include individuals, […]
Learn more about our Litigation Department
Sports and Entertainment
Montgomery McCracken’s Sports and Entertainment Industry Group calls upon the vast array of skill and experience within the firm to provide comprehensive legal services to athletes, entertainers, authors, event organizers, […]
Learn more about our Sports and Entertainment Industry
Higher Education
Montgomery McCracken’s Higher Education Industry Group has earned a reputation for broad experience in representing institutions of higher learning. Our group includes attorneys from many different practice areas who have […]
Learn more about our Higher Education Industry
1 of 6 Credentials
Selected Speaking Engagements - Speaker, “I Fought the Law and the Law Won: Legal Updates and the Future of SML,” S.A.V.E.S. Virtual Conference, October 2023
- Speaker, “Title IX: Practice Pointers for Compliance Perfection,” SCCE Higher Education Compliance Conference, June 2023
- Speaker, “Title IX: The Past, Present & Future of Campus Adjudications,” College Athletic Trainers’ Society Spring Symposium, May 2023
- Speaker, “The Cost of a Bad Apple: The External Risks of Internal Investigations,” ACC IHCC, April 2023
- Speaker, “Title IX: The Past, the Present and the Future,” Matthew J. Ryan Law and Public Policy Forum, March 2023
- Speaker, “Title IX: The Past, Present, and Future of Campus Investigation, Adjudications, and Litigation,” SCCE, November 2022
- Guest Lecturer and Trainer, “Title IX Proposed Rule Changes & their Institutional Impact,” University of Michigan, October 2022
- Moderator, “Damages in Sexual Misconduct Cases,” Perrin Sexual Abuse Litigation and Coverage Conference, October 2022
- Moderator, “SML Claims Update and Underwriting Challenges,” S.A.V.E.S. Symposium, October 2022
- Panelist, “Sexual Misconduct Liability Concerns for Municipalities,” S.A.V.E.S. Symposium, October 2022
- Presenter, “Anticipated Proposed Title IX Regulations,” Montgomery McCracken Webinar, June 2022
- Speaker, “Title IX: The Past, Present, and Future of Campus Investigations, Adjudications, and Litigation,” Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics’ Higher Education Compliance Conference, June 2022
- Moderator, “Sexual Abuse Litigation and Coverage Conference,” Perrin Conferences, May 2022
- Panelist, “Who, What, Wear Virtual Workshop,” Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Women’s Law Caucus, March 2022
- Presenter, “Damages in Sexual Misconduct Cases: A Data-Driven Approach to Controlling the Outcome,” West LegalEdcenter, January 2022
- Presenter, “Title IX”, University of Michigan, November 2021
- Speaker, “Sexual Abuse Litigation and Coverage Conference,” Perrin Conferences, October 2021
- Speaker, “New Jersey Special Investigators Association 2021 Seminar,” New Jersey Special Investigators Association, October 2021
- Speaker, “Digital Crisis Management: Best Practices for Avoiding & Responding to an Online Crisis,” Candoris, July 2021
- Speaker, “College Athletic Trainers Society Spring Symposium for Athletic Trainers & Team Physicians,” College Athletic Trainers Society Spring Symposium, July 2021
- Speaker, “Digital Crisis Management: Best Practices for Avoiding & Responding to an Online Crisis,” Candoris, July 2021
- Speaker, “The New Title IX Regulations: Lessons Learned,” Philadelphia Bar Association, July 2021
- Presenter, “Recent Developments in Title IX, Public Relations & Crisis Response Handling,” College Athletic Trainer Society Spring Symposium for Athletic Trainers & Team Physicians, July 2021
- Speaker, “2021 Insurance Fraud Management (IFM) Conference: Fighting Bills & Fighting Mills,” Insurance Fraud Management Conference, July 2021
- Speaker, “Interested Persons’ Symposium: The Role of the University in the Title IX Rulemaking Process,” April 2021
- Panelist, “Villanova Law School’s Criminal Law Society’s Networking Event,” Villanova Law School Criminal Law Society, January 2021
- Moderator, “Coping with Stress in 2020: A Conversation with Experts,” Villanova Law Alumni Association, November 2020
- Speaker, “Defending Sexual Abuse Claims: A Multi-State Overview of Legislative Endeavors and Anticipated Changes Post-Election”
- Speaker, “Fraud Peddling & the Pandemic: Trends in Medical Provider & Claim-Based Fraud”, PACIA, October 2020
- Speaker, “Making History & Moving Forward: What Bostock Means for You, Your Company, & Inclusivity in the Workplace”, Westlaw Legal Education Center, July 2020
- Speaker, “Claim Handling & Fraud Concerns Post COVID 19”, May 2020
- Speaker, “Recent Changes to the Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act & Other Sexual Misconduct Legislation”, February 2020
Selected Publications - Quoted, “Philadelphia law firms turning to new leaders with ‘proactive adaptability’ to navigate a changing industry,” Philadelphia Business Journal, June 2023
- Quoted, “Montgomery McCracken’s New Co-Chair Is Expecting Her Third Child, but She Doesn’t Love the Phrase ‘Work-Life Balance‘,” The Legal Intelligencer, May 2023
- Quoted, “Montgomery McCracken Names Its 1st Female Co-Chair,” Law360 Pulse, May 2023
- Quoted, “Montgomery McCracken names first female co-chair in 111-year history,” Philadelphia Business Journal, May 2023
- Quoted, “Montgomery McCracken Partner Ashley R. Lynam Elected Co-Chair,” May 2023
- Co-Author, “Department of Education & Supreme Court Weigh in on Transgender Athletes in School Sports,” April 2023
- Co-Author, “Third Circuit Expands Liability for Colleges & Universities in Title IX Decision,” January 2022
- Co-Author, “Bad Things Can Happen on Good Websites – Including Yours,” November 2021
- Quoted, “Ashley Lynam Brings Extensive Experience as Co-Chair of Sexual Misconduct Liability Practice Group,” Sports Medicine and the Law, Summer 2021
- Co-Author, “VACATED: DOE Pulls Title IX Provision Requiring In-Person Testimony For Statement Consideration In Live Hearings,” August 2021
- Co-Author, “From the First Amendment to Final Exams: How Digital Crises Are Striking Schools,” June 2021
- Co-Author, “The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act Is Not Nearly As Broad As Some Prosecutors Claim: Van Buren v. U.S.,” June 2021
- Mentioned, “Montgomery McCracken Starts Firmwide Digital Crisis Group,” Law360 Pulse, April 2021
- Co-Author, “Online Speakers – Where Can You Be Sued?,” April 2021
- Co-Author, “Executive Order Sets Title IX Priorities: What to Expect & How to Make Your Institutional Voice Heard,” March 2021
- Co-Author, “Title IX & Tenure: How Separate Standards Can Sow Institutional Discord,” February 2021
- Co-Author, “$2.5M Judgment Against University for Overseas Sex Assault Serves as Reminder that Liability is Not Limited to Title IX,” February 2021
- Quoted, “Montgomery McCracken Nabs Litigator For Liability Group,” Law360, November 2020
- Pennsylvania Supreme Court Hears Oral Argument on Statute of Limitations Issue in Child Sexual Abuse Case: Rice v. Dioceses of Altoona-Johnstown, November 2020
- COVID Fraud Alert: “How to Set a Fire” Searches Predict Surge in SIU Claims, July 2020
- Title IX Litigation Alert: 18 States Sue Department of Education, August 2020
Honors & Awards - Selected to the Legal Intelligencer’s Lawyers on the Fast Track award in 2023. This award is issued by ALM and a description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
- Honoree, Top 100 Women in Law, Women We Admire Magazine, 2021
- Selected to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star list in 2018-2021. This list is issued by Thomson Reuters and a description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
No aspect of these advertisements has been approved by the highest court of any state.
Professional Activities - Member, The Forum of Executive Women
- Member, Philadelphia Bar Association
- Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association
Community Involvement - Board of Directors Member, Treasurer, Upper Main Line YMCA
- Board of Advisors Member, The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia
- Board Member, Villanova Law Alumni Association
- Executive Board Member, Villanova’s Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation
Education Law School
- Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
Undergraduate School
