Melissa has conducted a wide variety of litigation including professional indemnity, public liability and property damage claims as well as specialised personal injury litigation with emphasis on contested causation, psychiatric injury and contested liability. Melissa has experience in conducting litigation in all jurisdictions including the Federal Court in relation to general insurance and coverage/indemnity issues. By providing practical and commercial legal advice she aims to achieve timely resolution of disputes.
Admitted to practice since 1994, Melissa commenced in a high volume personal injury practice in Sydney working for a number of major insurers, and later specialised in catastrophic injury cases. She then progressed to a senior lawyer position with the Transport Accident Commission in Victoria. There she conducted litigation in all jurisdictions including the Country Court circuit as well as advising on claims handling practices.
After moving to Adelaide, Melissa broadened her practice to encompass general insurance litigation, commencing with Gilchrist Connell in 2006. Melissa has experience in defence of:
• professional indemnity claims against accountants, real estate agents, financial advisors and conveyancers.
• public liability claims made against shopping centre owners and retail shop owners.
• personal injury claims brought by Return to Work SA and Common Law Personal Injury Claims by workers and labour hire personnel
Her quiet focus on minimising the client’s exposure and making timely recommendations for resolution is highly valued by her clients.
Capabilities
Awards and recognition
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