Partner

Melissa M. Morton

Biography

Ms. Morton’s practice includes casualty and negligence litigation matters including the defense of municipal, construction, medical malpractice and premises liability cases.  Ms. Morton also has experience in business litigation and insurance coverage matters.  

Ms. Morton is an active member of the New York State Bar Association, the Bar Association of Erie County, and the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York for the Western District of New York.  Additionally, Ms. Morton is actively involved in the ALFA International and is a member of this organization’s Insurance, Construction, and Women’s Initiative Practice Groups.  Ms. Morton also provides pro bono legal services to federal court litigants through the Federal Court Pro See Assistance Program, which is administered by the Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Bar Association of Erie County.

Ms. Morton’s speaking engagements and publications include:

  • “We All Know What Happens When You Assume (the Risk):  Indemnification in Construction Cases”, ALFA International, 2023 Construction Law Seminar
  • Granny Cams and Smartphones:  Use of Audio and Video Footage in the Nursing Home Setting (Medical Liability and Health Care Law Committee, DRI), September 2017, Long-Term Care and Assisted Living Facility Seminar, Co-Author
  •  Did I Just Hear That?, “Sharing Success” Newsletter  (Women in the Law Committee, DRI), January 2013, Volume 2, Issue 2, Co-Author

Admissions

  • State of New York
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States District Court for the Western District of New York 
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of New York
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York 
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of New York 
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit 
  • United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York

Ratings & Awards

  • “The Best Lawyers in America” Litigation – Insurance: 2023-2024
  • “Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyers, a division of Thomson Reuters: 2022-2023
  • “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers, a division of Thomson Reuters: 2014-2018

Education

  • University at Buffalo Law School, Top 10%
  • Canisius University, summa cum laude