Melissa Arrojas is a partner in the firm’s Miami office. Melissa primarily handles first and third party property defense litigation as well as insurance coverage and bad faith matters. She is an experienced litigator representing insurance industry clients defending property damage claims involving windstorm, fire, mold, vandalism, theft and water losses. Melissa assists insurers in all aspects of a coverage dispute including pre-suit investigations, responses to civil remedy notices of insurer violations, coverage evaluations, declaratory judgment actions, assignment of benefits and bad faith litigation. Her experience and depth of knowledge across a range of practice areas has aided her in obtaining favorable results for her clients, both in court and through negotiated settlements.

Prior to joining Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel, Melissa was a Partner at a prominent national insurance defense litigation firm representing clients in state and federal courts throughout Florida handling first-party property insurance litigation. Previously, she worked for a boutique insurance defense firm handling first-party property insurance litigation as well. 

Melissa began her legal career in Florida as an attorney for Dade Legal Aid, where she tried over 150 bench trials in Miami-Dade County and Circuit courts in the areas of family law.  She represented both victims of domestic violence and minors in the dependency system, as well as worked with victims to find services, resources and counseling. Melissa has lectured in several forums discussing domestic violence, stalking, and sexual violence. She has provided training on the issues regarding family law to various community agencies and attorneys.

In 2005, Melissa graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology. Melissa went on to attend New York Law School in New York, NY and obtained her Juris Doctor in 2008. While in law school, Melissa held various legal internships in the areas of family, criminal, and immigration law.