

Biography
Melissa Roeder, Of Counsel at Sinars Slowikowski Tomaska’s Seattle office, is a high heel wearing, motorcycle riding, trial attorney. She is the chair of the firm's cannabis practice group and delivers effective and practical solutions in the fields of cannabis/marijuana law, asbestos, benzene and toxic torts.
Before becoming a lawyer, Melissa worked as a Alaska commercial fisherman and grew-up on the family farm in a town of 500 people in southwest Minnesota. These experiences shaped Melissa’s character, work ethic and grit from childhood forward.
Career achievements include being selected as one of the Top 100 Women Lawyers in Washington State, a “Super Lawyer" since 2012, a “Rising Star" from 2008-2011 and the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (WDTL) Outstanding Litigation Associate in 2008.
Publications and Presentations
Cannabis 101: The Growth of the Industry and Future Predictions, CLM, Presenter, April 2022
The Art of Adjusting Cannabis Law, April 2022
Cannabis, Arkansas Defense Bar, January 2021
Speaker, IASA: “Cannabis It's Growing Like a Weed!" February 2021
Panelist, DRI's Vaping Liability and Litigation Seminar, January 2021
Panelist, Casualty Actuarial Society's 2020 Virtual CAS Annual Meeting “Cannabis Insurance: The Blossoming Weed," November 2020
Speaker, CLM Focus: Cannabis, Environmental, Insurance Fraud, Property, Subrogation, Claims & Litigation Conference, “Product Liability Issues Facing Growing Cannabis Industry," November 2020
Chair, DRI Marijuana Seminar, May 2019
Chair, DRI Marijuana Seminar, 2018
“Toxicology: What Is It and How Do You Utilize a Toxicologist on the Stand," DRI Marijuana Seminar, June 2018
“Cannabis Product Liability Litigation: How to Prepare and Defend Cases," Louisiana Defense Bar, May 2018
Vice Chair, DRI Marijuana Seminar, 2017
Vice Chair, DRI Annual Convention Committee, 2017
Notable Cases and Trials
- Melissa has trial over a dozen asbestos/toxic tort matters.