Our people

Carolyn is a trial lawyer focusing on commercial disputes. In February 2001, Carolyn was declared by American Lawyer Media to be one of the 50 most influential women lawyers in Pennsylvania and was described in that article as "one of the most feared civil defense lawyers, especially in employment law." In December 2001 she was featured in Forbes Magazine as one of the most sought-after lawyers in Philadelphia.

Carolyn has successfully represented numerous clients in preliminary injunction matters and commercial negotiations to avoid trial. Her recent trials include a $4 million jury verdict on behalf of her client in a commercial contract dispute in February 2004. 

Carolyn has extensive experience in handling matters arising in the local, state and federal courts across the country. She is frequently consulted on various aspects of complex litigation from jury selection techniques to cross examination and effectiveness in closing arguments. In one massive toxic tort matter, she was retained as a consulting expert in jury selection. She is a tough negotiator as is borne out by the many favorable settlements she has negotiated on behalf of her clients.

In recognition of her distinguished record as a trial lawyer, she has been called upon by high state officials to handle and try major pieces of sensitive and high profile litigation. These cases involved novel constitutional questions and have required extensive litigation of complex evidentiary issues.

In January 2005, senior Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter asked Carolyn to serve for one year as General Counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, of which Senator Specter was Chairman.  In this capacity, Carolyn advised Senator Specter on two Supreme Court nominations, class action litigation reform, bankruptcy reform, asbestos reform, Reauthorization of the USA Patriot Act, Data Privacy and Protection legislation, Department of Justice Reauthorization legislation, Cameras in the Courtroom legislation, Reporter’s Privilege legislation, the National Security Agency Terrorist Surveillance Program legislation, investigations into secret government programs, terrorist detainee legislation, and much more.  She returned to Reed Smith with a keen awareness of the government process and how legislation is enacted.

In 2009 Carolyn became a Fellow in the Trial Lawyer Honorary Society: Litigation Counsel of America. 

Experience

Legal Education

Undergraduate Education

Professional Affiliations

• Served on the Merit Selection Committee for the U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in 2000 because of her reputation as a successful trial lawyer, and at the request of the Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
• Appointed by the Mayor of Philadelphia to serve on a seven-member committee to study Police Disciplinary practices because of her reputation for tough fair-mindedness in March 2001
• Inducted as a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers in 2003 and as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2004
• Appointed by Third Circuit Judge Anthony Scirica to a three-year term as one of 15 members of the Lawyers Advisory Committee of the Judicial Council of the Third Circuit in February 2004
• Enjoys an AV rating, the highest rating given by the national legal publication, Martindale-Hubbell
• 2008 Nominated by the President of the U.S. to serve as a Federal District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
• 2009 Inducted as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America

Interests

Carolyn lives with her husband, Joseph Torsella, and their four children in Flourtown, Pennsylvania.