Overview
Work History
Education
Bar Admission
Timeline
Generic

MELISSA L. COWAN

West Hurley,New York

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience

Work History

Associate Attorney

CATANIA, MAHON & RIDER
Newburgh, NY
08.2021 - Current
  • Counsel and defend school districts, private companies, municipal entities on all aspects of education law, municipal law, civil service law, public officers’ law, contracts, constitutional claims, and labor and employment.
  • Counsel and defend hospitals and physicians in medical malpractice matters.
  • Manage and litigate insurance coverage disputes, commercial trucking/transportation, commercial transactions, and general negligence claims.
  • Counsel and defend state and federal claims under wage and hour, discrimination, and workplace safety issues claims.
  • Frequent appearances in state and federal courts, including appellate courts, as well as administrative and regulatory forums, arbitration, and mediation.
  • Represent general contractors, construction managers and subcontractors on a wide range of issues that arise throughout the construction process—from contract review and negotiation to developing and litigating claims under NY Labor Laws and complex commercial disputes.
  • High volume deposition and discovery practice in all types of litigation matters, as well as motion practice in state, federal, and appellate courts and trial experience in state courts.

Associate Attorney

HANNUM FERETIC PRENDERGAST & MERLINO
New York, NY
10.2018 - 07.2021
  • Defended property owners, general contractors, subcontractors, manufacturers, and motorists in complex cases involving construction defect, property damage, subrogation, premises liability, NY Labor Law, products liability, personal injury, and automobile accidents to minimize risk and exposure of both clients and insurance carriers.
  • Negotiate favorable settlement of claims through transfer of liability to responsible entities, assertive motion practice, and creative legal arguments.
  • Review and analyze medical records to evaluate damages.
  • Review and analyze construction contracts and complex insurance policies to evaluate risk transfer and insurance coverage.
  • Draft and analyze tender letters.
  • Retain and meet with expert witnesses in labor law and premises cases.
  • Secured dismissals on summary judgment in Labor Law, premises, and automobile cases.

Associate Attorney

WILSON ELSER, LLP
White Plains, NY
06.2017 - 10.2018
  • Defended physicians, professional corporations, hospitals, and residential healthcare facilities against medical malpractice, negligence, and wrongful death claims.
  • Developed initial litigation management plans analyzing liability and damages.
  • Handled a large caseload with strict reporting requirements.
  • Maintained close daily contact with insurance and TPA representatives.
  • Experienced in billing practices and complying with numerous carrier billing guidelines.
  • Conducted numerous plaintiff depositions and defended depositions of party and non-party doctors, hospital administrators, and healthcare providers.
  • Handled mandated court conferences, motion appearances, oral arguments, discovery hearings, and settlement conferences.
  • Identified, retained, and met with expert witnesses.
  • Experienced in drafting all types of discovery motions, motions in limine, dispositive motions, preliminary request for jury instructions, jury instructions, and medical malpractice summary judgment motions.
  • Obtained dismissal of medical malpractice nursing home case through summary judgment motion.

Associate Attorney

MCCORMACK & MATTEI, P.C.
Garden City, NY
07.2016 - 06.2017
  • Conducted fraud investigations and advise insurance investigators and representatives on denials and settlements.
  • Obtain declaratory judgments to eliminate exposure.
  • Handle large caseload of vehicular defense litigation in Supreme and Civil Courts in NYC, Nassau, and Suffolk counties.
  • Conduct examinations of claimants, patients, and medical providers.
  • Draft motions and contentions and conduct oral argument at court and arbitration proceedings.
  • Negotiated numerous settlement agreements.
  • Conduct bench trials.
  • Maintain close daily contact with insurance representatives and special investigators.

Education

J.D. -

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
North Haven, CT
06.2015

B.A. - Political Science

STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT ALBANY
Albany, NY
12.2009

Bar Admission

New York, 2016

U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York

Timeline

Associate Attorney

CATANIA, MAHON & RIDER
08.2021 - Current

Associate Attorney

HANNUM FERETIC PRENDERGAST & MERLINO
10.2018 - 07.2021

Associate Attorney

WILSON ELSER, LLP
06.2017 - 10.2018

Associate Attorney

MCCORMACK & MATTEI, P.C.
07.2016 - 06.2017

J.D. -

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

B.A. - Political Science

STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT ALBANY

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MELISSA L. COWAN