Melissa has been a member of Colin Biggers & Paisley's insurance practice since 2004 and became a partner in 2013. Melissa has over 25 years' experience in litigation and dispute resolution, in professional indemnity and general liability claims acting for insurers and professionals in various fields.
She has experience in defending both large-scale litigation and small claim matters. She acts for professionals including, barristers, solicitors, financial advisers, auditors and accountants, as well as general liability claims against builders, contractors, retailers and occupiers of commercial premises.
Melissa advises insurers on policy interpretation issues and has acted for major insurers in coverage disputes involving directors and officers and other professionals.
She regularly lectures and presents training seminars to clients (both insurers and insureds) on risk management, as well as specific insurance-related issues, including policy interpretation, the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 and claims management.
Melissa is listed in the 2016 to 2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in Australia for Insurance Law. In the 2020 to 2022 editions she is also recognised for Personal Injury Litigation. In 2019 and 2021, she is recognised in Doyle's Guide as a leading Professional Indemnity Lawyer (Defendant Insurance) in New South Wales.
In 2017, Melissa won the Partner of the Year Award at the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards.
Melissa was admitted to the Federal Court, the High Court of Australia and the ACT Supreme Court in 1997. In 2002, she was admitted to the NSW Supreme Court. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Mathematics and Psychology from The Australian National University.