Melissa Rider Cleary

Melissa understands that each case is important to the client involved, and works diligently to address client needs and concerns. She knows that “one size fits all” is not the best approach to take so she listens closely to her clients, understands their business and develops an approach tailored to meet their specific goals.

Melissa concentrates her practice in workers' compensation, employment law and professional liability. Her trial experience includes cases in the Civil District and Superior Courts of North Carolina, the North Carolina Court of Appeals, the North Carolina Industrial Commission, and the EEOC. Melissa has handled matters in all three Federal District Courts in North Carolina and has appeared before the North Carolina Supreme Court. Her professional memberships include the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, the North Carolina State Bar, the North Carolina Bar Association and the Wake County Bar Association.

In 2009 and 2010, Melissa was chosen by her peers to be listed as a "Rising Star" in the North Carolina edition of Super Lawyers. She became a Fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America in 2009, and was selected for membership in the Claims & Litigation Management Alliance in 2010. In 2013 and 2014 she was recognized by Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Workers’ Compensation-Employers and Professional Malpractice Defense, and has also earned the highest ranking (AV-Rated) awarded by Martindale-Hubbell.

Melissa is approved by the North Carolina Department of Insurance to present seminars for continuing education for adjusters, and enjoys speaking to clients on current legal issues. She has presented at the Western North Carolina Safety Conference, chaired the 2011 NWCDN Workers' Compensation Symposium, and since 2011 has been the Treasurer of the National Workers' Compensation Defense Network.