Melissa is a highly experienced attorney with over 28 years of insurance defense related litigation and trial practice. She specializes in complex construction litigation in residential and commercial projects representing contractors, developers, and design professionals. She also has significant experience in diverse areas of the law including personal injury and property damage under auto, homeowner, and general liability claims. She has defended contractors and owners for work site injuries involving large loss catastrophic injuries and death claims.

Melissa served as Staff Counsel with Zurich Insurance providing additional insight and knowledge of insurance claims and claims handling. She is adept at overseeing large complex cases and managing matters from pre-litigation through resolution, being mindful of costs and results. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in psychology. She then graduated from University of North Dakota School of Law, where she was active in Moot Court and served on the UND Law Review Board. She is licensed to practice in California, as well as the Northern District and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Melissa lives in Petaluma and is an avid early American art collector with her husband.