Melissa Vanni serves as claims, coverage, and monitoring counsel for domestic and internationally based insurers, including London and Bermuda market clients. She provides claims management, coverage analysis, risk management, and strategic resolution guidance in complex insurance matters.
Melissa regularly evaluates high-exposure claims, prepares written coverage opinions and correspondence, monitors underlying litigation, and advises clients on investigations, defense strategy, resolution opportunities, and risk mitigation. She also coordinates with counsel when appropriate, directly negotiates high-stakes claim resolutions, and drafts related settlement agreements. Melissa is particularly adept at translating complex coverage issues into clear, accessible guidance for a wide range of stakeholders while effectively protecting client interests and, where appropriate, resolving matters efficiently without requiring separate counsel.
Before joining Wilson Elser, Melissa served for more than five years as claims counsel in the public risk sector. That background informs her pragmatic approach to evaluating exposure, managing high-stakes claims, and helping clients pursue efficient, well-supported outcomes.
Areas of Focus
Insurance Coverage and Professional Liability
Melissa’s professional liability practice spans lawyers professional liability, errors and omissions, miscellaneous professional liability, directors and officers liability, employment practices liability, contractors and architects liability, and other professional exposures. She helps insurer clients assess nuanced policy and claim issues and communicate coverage positions clearly to insureds, counsel, and other stakeholders.
Excess Liability and Reinsurance
Melissa has substantial experience with high-exposure excess liability and reinsurance claims and disputes. In her prior public risk role, Melissa’s municipal claims work focused on catastrophic matters involving significant, often seven-figure exposure, including claims arising from excessive force, firefighter and public official errors, school-related matters, public employee due process issues, flooding, fires, and unsafe public spaces. She regularly drove resolution strategy and reported directly to stakeholders regarding exposure, claim developments, and settlement posture. She brings a measured, detail-oriented approach to matters requiring coordination among primary, excess, and reinsurer interests.
- University of Baltimore School of Law (J.D., 2016)
- magna cum laude
- University of Baltimore School of Law (B.A. Jurisprudence, 2013)
- Honors
- Maryland