Melinda S. Kollross is an AV-rated Preeminent shareholder and Co-Chair of Clausen’s Appellate Practice Group, handling post-trial and appellate litigation for savvy clients nationwide. Licensed in Illinois and New York, she has litigated more than 150 appeals in state and federal reviewing courts, including participation in two appeals before the United States Supreme Court. Melinda brings clients a winning record in appeals, has argued before the Illinois Supreme Court, and has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer in Appellate Practice numerous times. Her work spans all areas of firm practice, including commercial litigation, first-party property, liability insurance coverage and liability defense. Melinda is a proud member of the highly selective Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel.
Melinda also regularly assists clients in trial preparation and trial monitoring of high profile/high exposure cases across the nation. Her work on such cases has saved clients more than $100 million at the trial court level and helps ensure success on appeal by making a strong appellate record and preserving issues for review.
Melinda keeps clients informed of recent developments in the law through her work as editor-in-chief of Clausen Miller’s quarterly CM Report of Recent Decisions and writing/lecturing on appellate practice and other litigation topics. Her notable works include a chapter on post-trial motions in DRI’s A Defense Lawyer’s Guide to Appellate Practice (2004), and feature articles published in DRI’s For The Defense magazine: “Oral Argument: What It Really Takes To ‘Please the Court’ ” (October 2015), “Evaluating, Negotiating and Effectuating Settlements on Appeal” (March 2016), “Winning Your Appeal With Your ‘Statement of Facts’” (Feb. 2018), and “Preparing Effective Appeal Assessments” (Feb. 2019).
Melinda is a member of the Order of the Coif, the premier national legal honor society, and earned the Class Award in Law and Economics during law school.
Melinda enjoys spending free time with her two young daughters, working out, and exploring the great outdoors.
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