Melissa Arnold

Melissa Arnold focuses her practice on complex insurance coverage matters. For over 20 years, she has advised insurers faced with numerous types of first-party, third-party, and professional liability claims as well as related bad faith allegations. Melissa guides clients through every phase of litigation, from initial claim receipt to final resolution via dispositive motions, contractual risk transfer, alternative dispute resolution, favorable settlements, or trial.

Prior to joining the firm, she spent several years at an insurance defense firm where she specialized in both insurance coverage and general litigation.

Melissa earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University and her law degree from Boston University, where she was a G. Joseph Tauro Scholar and an editor of the American Journal of Law & Medicine.

Education

• Boston University School of Law, G. Joseph Tauro Scholar; Case and Note Editor for the American Journal of Law and Medicine (2002)
• Tufts University, BA (1998)

Representative Matters

Represented corporate entity in a lawsuit filed against it alleging claims of abuse of process, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, emotional distress (negligent and intentional), breach of contract, bad faith and loss of parental consortium. Drafted and argued numerous dispositive motions – including special motion to dismiss pursuant to the anti-SLAPP statute - dispensing with each claim except for the claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress and ancillary loss of parental consortium claim. Defense verdict following a six-day jury trial. (Prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP)

Represented property owner in multi-party litigation for damages allegedly arising out of demolition and construction. Successfully tendered defense to co-defendant based upon property owner’s qualifying as an additional insured under that party’s commercial general liability policy as well as that party’s contractual defense/indemnification obligations to defend and indemnify property owner. (Prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP)

Represented insurer in coverage matter seeking additional expenses for code upgrades following fire. Asserted counterclaim for declaratory judgment in light of insured’s failure to comply with vacancy endorsement contained in first-party property policy. Engaged in extensive discovery to establish that insured property was not vacant as that term was defined by insurance policy. Drafted and argued summary judgment motion seeking declaration that insured did not comply with vacancy provision and also seeking reimbursement of payment insurer made to insured prior to retaining counsel under the mistaken belief that the property was vacant. Court granted summary judgment on the grounds that there was no coverage because the insured did not comply with the vacancy provision and also ruled that the insured was obligated to reimburse the insurance company the payment it previously made in error. The plaintiff appealed on the grounds that that the insurer had waived any coverage defenses and/or it was estopped from asserting any coverage defenses. Appeals court affirmed declaratory judgment and order granting summary judgment. (Prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP)

Civic

• Brookline Education Foundation

Professional

• Massachusetts Bar Association
• Women’s Bar Association
• American Bar Association

Articles

American Journal of Law & Medicine, Case & Note Editor Publication: Melissa S. Arnold, Recent Case Development, 26 AM. J.L. & MED. 335, 481 (2000).