Melissa C. Terranova

Medical Malpractice & Health Care
Melissa has experience in assisting with high-exposure cases. She assisted in settling matters and pre-trial motion practice involving the full range of medical malpractice claims, including misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, failure to treat, surgical or procedural errors, and childbirth injuries, among others. Melissa is well acquainted with the use of a defense damage anchor to combat excess verdicts.

Labor & Employment
Melissa has handled consultations for potential clients to assess the viability of claim(s) and exceptions to the relevant statute of limitations. She competently navigates the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s process by drafting claimant’s charges and rebuttals prior to promptly requesting a Notice of Right to Sue. She drafts and files federal complaints for civil rights claims arising under Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act, Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act and Fair Labor Standards Act. Melissa has a strong understanding of the relevant federal rules of procedure, including Rule 26(f) meet and confer, and drafting proposed scheduling orders. She has exclusively handled discovery including Rule 26(a)(1) initial disclosures, disclosures pursuant to the SDNY pilot discovery protocols, and interrogatories and document demands. Melissa conducted legal research and drafted confidential mediation statements and letter motions, consistent with judge’s rules, and successfully argued opposition to defendant’s motion to dismiss before a district court judge. She independently participated in the SDNY Mediation Program and reached favorable settlements in cases where the opposing party was represented by seasoned litigators or a firm partner. Melissa has handled an American Arbitration Association proceeding, by familiarizing herself with the relevant commercial rules, motion practice, compilation of all exhibits, drafted direct and cross examination and post-hearing brief.

Trust & Estates
Melissa has handled multiple probate and administration proceeding files; drafted, filed and served Surrogates Court petitions, forms and affidavits, as well as transfer securities and real property. She has handled the complications of an insolvent estate, which involved sorting of outstanding debt, calculating pro rata shares of the estate’s assets, and correspondence with creditors. Melissa has completed due diligence in connection with a proposed will for probate where both attesting witnesses predeceased the decedent, and assisted in drafting a Last Will and Testament and ancillary documents. She also has experience with contested will proceedings.