Melissa handles a wide range of complex commercial litigation matters, representing corporations and healthcare organizations in lawsuits and arbitrations across the country. She concentrates her practice in the areas of insurance coverage, class action defense, appellate work, healthcare litigation and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). She has substantial experience handling a full range of litigation for healthcare industry clients, particularly health maintenance organizations and pharmacy benefits managers.
Melissa's extensive appellate experience includes successfully briefing and arguing cases before the U.S. Courts of Appeals and the Missouri and Illinois Courts of Appeals.
Awards & Recognitions
· Washington University Alumni Association Prize
Professional Associations & Memberships
· American Bar Association
· The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
· The Missouri Bar
Clerkships
· The Hon. Rodney W. Sippel, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, 1999-2000
Experience
· Defeated a class action for AgriBank, the largest of five banks within the National Farm Credit System. Obtained a motion to dismiss the lead plaintiffs claim in a class brought by Arkansas land owners against AgriBank to quiet title on mineral rights retained by AgriBank when selling acquired properties obtained through foreclosure.