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.

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