Marisa McClellan

Senior Counsel

Marisa McClellan

Accomplished attorney, child welfare leader, and advocate for families with decades of experience.

Marisa K. McClellan is a seasoned legal professional and accomplished administrator with a distinguished career spanning over two decades. She represents clients in custody, divorce, and adoption matters and serves as court-appointed counsel and Guardian ad Litem in parental rights cases. Before joining Tucker Arensberg, Marisa served as the Administrator at Dauphin County Children and Youth. In this role, Marisa oversaw a staff of approximately 200 employees across multiple departments, including child welfare case management, fiscal operations, legal operations, and program management. She managed an annual $55 million budget and ensured compliance with Pennsylvania child welfare regulations, fostering a safe and supportive environment for children and families in the Capital Region.

Marisa’s dedication to public service is evident through her extensive leadership roles and collaborative efforts, including the establishment of innovative programs such as specialized housing for youth with special needs and multi-agency task force teams addressing mental health and substance use issues. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she spearheaded policy adaptations that ensured the safety of children, families, and staff.

Previously, Marisa served as Senior Staff Attorney for Dauphin County Children and Youth, where she led litigation efforts in dependency court, orphans’ court, and administrative law hearings. Her experience spans juvenile law, child abuse and neglect, family law, and compliance with state and federal regulations. She also supervised legal teams, conducted extensive training, and contributed to statewide child welfare initiatives.  

Marisa’s commitment to the legal and child welfare communities is reflected in her affiliations with several boards and organizations, including the Pennsylvania Children and Youth Administrators Association, the National Association of County Human Services Administrators, and the Pennsylvania Bar Association, where she co-chairs the Children’s Rights Committee. She has also been recognized with awards such as the 2017 Pennsylvania Child Advocate of the Year.

Marisa is married and the proud mother of two sons.

Presentations & Publications

• Conducting Termination of Parental Rights Hearings After the 2016 Superior Court Case In Re C.M.C., Pennsylvania Bar Association Quarterly, July 2017
• Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI) Presenter from 2011 through 2024 for Current Issues for Child Advocates