Melissa Blair Aliotti
- Building on decades of experience as a California litigator, Melissa has the insight and expertise to efficiently identify issues and discern on a case-by-case basis how to get stakeholders engaged to bring about resolution.
- With a primary background in complex construction litigation, she also has handled the spectrum of personal injury cases from slip-and-fall and two-party motor vehicle accidents to brain injuries, multi-vehicle pileups with fatalities, third-party liability cases arising from workers compensation accidents with catastrophic injuries, minor-involved cases, and a myriad of assault and battery cases.
- Desirous of remaining current in the discipline of alternative dispute resolution, she regularly participates in postgraduate educational programs to hone her skills.
- More hands on than some, her friendly and compassionate, yet frank and persistent approach provides a sound foundation for the candid dialogue required to achieve resolution.
Background: Born in Tokyo and raised in the military; married with two grown daughters; living and practicing law in Sacramento since 1990. Frequent speaker on litigation and ADR, enthusiastic supporter of the performing arts, and compassionate contributor to non-profit service providers benefiting our most vulnerable populations.
Education: San Diego State University (Political Science, Sociology minor), BA 1983; Monterey College of Law, JD 1987; Pepperdine University School Of Law, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Mediation studies 2010, 2014; 100-plus hours of mediation education since October 2010.
Licensee: California Bar, 1987-current
Membership: American Bar Association (Dispute Resolution), Sacramento County Bar Association (Chair, ADR Section). Association of Defense Counsel Northern California and Northern Nevada (affiliate member), Claims Litigation Management Institute
Board Service: Volunteers of America Northern California and Nevada 2012-2021, 2022-current; Judicate West Foundation 2021-current; Old Greenwood Cabins SOA 2020-current; Sacramento County Bar Association ADR Section 2011-current
Honors: AV-Preeminent - Highest peer rating for professional excellence; Sactown Magazine's (formerly Sacramento Magazine) Top Lawyers in Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2016-current; Super Lawyers in ADR 2016-current.
Interests: Gardening, Reading, Skiing, Performing Arts, Travel, Culture and Politics