Member Bio
Melissa K. Roeder, Of Counsel in Sinars Slowikowski Tomaska's Seattle office, has more than a decade of general civil litigation and insurance defense experience. Well recognized in the Pacific Northwest asbestos defense community, she delivers effective and practical solutions to her clients, who include
subcontractors, equipment manufacturers, and retailers.
Bar Admissions: Washington; US District Court, Western District of Washington
Practice Groups: Toxic Tort / Mass Tort
Education: Thomas M. Cooley Law School, JD, cum laude, 2000 - Law Review Symposium Editor, Winner of the American Bar Association, Law Student Division, National Appellate Advocacy Competition; South Dakota State University, BS, Political Science, 1993
Memberships: Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (WDTL) - President, 2014-2015, Board of Trustees 2008-Present, Chair, Toxic Tort Section, 2008 to 2014; Defense Research Institute (DRI) - State Representative for Washington State (present), Product Liability Group Committee Member, Toxic Tort Committee Member, 2017 Vice Chair, Marijuana Seminar; Federation of Defense and Corporation Counsel; The Claims Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) Member; King County Bar Association - Judicial Screening Committee, 2010-Present, Membership and Benefits Committee, 2008-2010
AWARDS
DRI Rudolph Janata Award for Best State and Local Defense Organization, 2016
Top 50 Women Attorneys,Washington Law & Politics, 2014
Washington Super Lawyer®, 2012-2016
Washington Rising Stars®, 2007-2011
Washington Law & Politics "Outstanding Litigation Associate" by WDTL, 2008
PRESENTATIONS
2016: Presenter: "Claims in the 21st Century”, Puget Sound Adjusters Association Claims College
2016: Presenter: NBI Technology in the Courtroom
2016: Presenter, Perrin Asbestos Conference, September, 2016.
Presenter, WDTL Associate Marketing CLE, September 2016.
2016: Planner and speaker, Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Asbestos Seminar: May 16, 2016
2014: Presenter, HarrisMartin Asbestos Seminar
2013: Organizer and presenter, Joint Bar Asbestos CLE
2013: Presenter, "Rules and Experts North of Portlandia."
2012: Presenter, "Asbestos Litigation Potpourri: Expert Exclusion 2.0", Resolute MidAtlantic, Resolute Midwest and QBE
2011: Organizer, "Taylor Trial in Review."
2010: Organizer, “2009-2010 Washington State Asbestos Trial Overview."
2010: Organizer, “Asbestos Opinions Around the Country.”
2010: Organizer, “Multi-District Litigation in Asbestos Trials.”
2009: Moderator, "Judicial Panel Perspective on Asbestos Litigation: From the Trial Court to the Court of Appeals.”
2009: Presenter, "Asbestos: A Year in Review."
2009: Presenter, "Asbestos Law Update."
2008: Organizer, Expert Panel, "Fiber Potency and Mesothelioma."
2007: Organizer, Expert Panel, "Asbestos Pathology, Epidemiology and Industrial Hygiene."
COMMUNITY SERVICE
2017 Vice Chair, DRI Annual Convention Committee
ABA Mock Trial Judge
YMCA Mock Trial Judge
Girls on the Run