Murtha Means More
Melissa A. Federico Murtha Cullina LLP Associate

Associate

Hartford
Email: mfederico@murthalaw.com
Phone: 860-240-6042
Fax: 860-240-6150

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Bar & Court Admissions

  • Connecticut
  • U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

Education

  • Roger Williams University School of Law (J.D.)
  • Stonehill College (B.A.)

Melissa A. Federico

Melissa Federico is a trial attorney representing clients in complex commercial litigation.  She litigates and advises clients in a variety of business disputes, including breach of contract, shareholder disputes, non-competes and restrictive covenants, and business torts.  She represents clients in federal court in intellectual property disputes, including patent infringement actions, theft of trade secrets, trademark/ trade dress infringement, copyright infringement, and violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA).  She also represents hospitals in litigation and arbitration in connection with reimbursement disputes with commercial payors and provides guidance on contracting and best practice billing and payment protocols.

As a member of the Insurance Recovery Group, Melissa assists businesses in pursing insurance coverage claims under a wide array of insurance products including general liability, D&O, excess and umbrella and reinsurance.  She also assists clients in assessing insurance coverage for data breach and cybersecurity incidents.

Representative matters include:

  • Blocked preliminary injunction in federal court in which plaintiff alleged breach of restrictive covenants, violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act and violations of Section 43 of the Lanham Act.
  • Won arbitration judgment in favor of former franchisee on grounds that the franchise agreement was unenforceable due to the claimant's prior material breaches, obtaining fees and costs for the arbitration as well as reimbursement of attorneys fees for defending related injunction.
  • Assisted in obtaining a unanimous decision from the Connecticut Appellate Court affirming the trial court’s decision not to disturb an arbitration award in A Better Way Wholesale Autos, Inc. v. Rodriquez, et al., 176 Conn. App. 392 (2017).
  • Negotiated resolution of copyright and trademark infringement claims pending in federal court for the District of Connecticut involving major toy company.
  • Won a bench trial awarding insurance coverage to a Roman Catholic diocese for settlements of negligent supervision claims involving sexual abuse by clergy.  Hartford Roman Catholic Diocesan Corp. v. Interstate Fire & Cas. Co. 199 F. Supp. 3d 559 (D. Conn. 2016).
  • Negotiated resolution of contract disputes with managed care organizations on behalf of hospital clients.
  • Negotiated full indemnification funding from reinsurer on behalf of hospital's captive excess insurer.
  • Counseled bankruptcy trustee to obtain insurance coverage in suit against officers of debtor corporation.

In 2014, Melissa was selected by the Connecticut Law Tribune as one of Connecticut’s “New Leaders in the Law.”  The award honors lawyers under the age of 40 who have excelled in the courtroom, in client service and cultivation, in service to bar associations and in performing pro bono work or community service in a volunteer capacity.

Melissa serves on the Board of Directors for the Hartford County Bar Association and the Executive Committee for the Insurance Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association.  She is a member of the Antitrust and Trade Regulation, Federal Practice and Litigation Sections of the Connecticut Bar Association.  She is also a member of Federal Bar Association and the American Bar Association Sections of Litigation and Tort Trial and Insurance Practice. 

She is a volunteer attorney for Lawyers for Children America, a child advocacy organization protecting the rights of children who are victims of abuse, abandonment and neglect, and serves on its Board of Directors. 

  • Hartford County Bar Association, Board of Directors (2017 - Present)
  • Connecticut Bar Association, Insurance Law Section, Executive Committee
  • Connecticut Bar Association, Antitrust and Trade Regulation Section
  • Connecticut Bar Association, Federal Practice Section
  • Connecticut Bar Association, Litigation Section
  • Federal Bar Association
  • American Bar Association, Section of Litigation
  • American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS)
  • The Risk Management Society (RIMS), CT Valley Chapter

 

  • Connecticut Law Tribune 2014 New Leader in the Law
  • Listed as Connecticut Super Lawyers® Rising Star in the area of Insurance Coverage in 2013 - 2016 (Super Lawyers is a registered trademark of Key Professional Media, Inc.)
  • Feinstein Institute for Legal Service Public Service Award
  • Clerk for the Honorable Judith C. Savage, Providence Superior Court
  • Board Member, Lawyers for Children America
Overview

Melissa Federico is a trial attorney representing clients in complex commercial litigation.  She litigates and advises clients in a variety of business disputes, including breach of contract, shareholder disputes, non-competes and restrictive covenants, and business torts.  She represents clients in federal court in intellectual property disputes, including patent infringement actions, theft of trade secrets, trademark/ trade dress infringement, copyright infringement, and violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA).  She also represents hospitals in litigation and arbitration in connection with reimbursement disputes with commercial payors and provides guidance on contracting and best practice billing and payment protocols.

As a member of the Insurance Recovery Group, Melissa assists businesses in pursing insurance coverage claims under a wide array of insurance products including general liability, D&O, excess and umbrella and reinsurance.  She also assists clients in assessing insurance coverage for data breach and cybersecurity incidents.

Representative matters include:

  • Blocked preliminary injunction in federal court in which plaintiff alleged breach of restrictive covenants, violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act and violations of Section 43 of the Lanham Act.
  • Won arbitration judgment in favor of former franchisee on grounds that the franchise agreement was unenforceable due to the claimant's prior material breaches, obtaining fees and costs for the arbitration as well as reimbursement of attorneys fees for defending related injunction.
  • Assisted in obtaining a unanimous decision from the Connecticut Appellate Court affirming the trial court’s decision not to disturb an arbitration award in A Better Way Wholesale Autos, Inc. v. Rodriquez, et al., 176 Conn. App. 392 (2017).
  • Negotiated resolution of copyright and trademark infringement claims pending in federal court for the District of Connecticut involving major toy company.
  • Won a bench trial awarding insurance coverage to a Roman Catholic diocese for settlements of negligent supervision claims involving sexual abuse by clergy.  Hartford Roman Catholic Diocesan Corp. v. Interstate Fire & Cas. Co. 199 F. Supp. 3d 559 (D. Conn. 2016).
  • Negotiated resolution of contract disputes with managed care organizations on behalf of hospital clients.
  • Negotiated full indemnification funding from reinsurer on behalf of hospital's captive excess insurer.
  • Counseled bankruptcy trustee to obtain insurance coverage in suit against officers of debtor corporation.

In 2014, Melissa was selected by the Connecticut Law Tribune as one of Connecticut’s “New Leaders in the Law.”  The award honors lawyers under the age of 40 who have excelled in the courtroom, in client service and cultivation, in service to bar associations and in performing pro bono work or community service in a volunteer capacity.

Melissa serves on the Board of Directors for the Hartford County Bar Association and the Executive Committee for the Insurance Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association.  She is a member of the Antitrust and Trade Regulation, Federal Practice and Litigation Sections of the Connecticut Bar Association.  She is also a member of Federal Bar Association and the American Bar Association Sections of Litigation and Tort Trial and Insurance Practice. 

She is a volunteer attorney for Lawyers for Children America, a child advocacy organization protecting the rights of children who are victims of abuse, abandonment and neglect, and serves on its Board of Directors. 

Practices & Industries
Memberships
  • Hartford County Bar Association, Board of Directors (2017 - Present)
  • Connecticut Bar Association, Insurance Law Section, Executive Committee
  • Connecticut Bar Association, Antitrust and Trade Regulation Section
  • Connecticut Bar Association, Federal Practice Section
  • Connecticut Bar Association, Litigation Section
  • Federal Bar Association
  • American Bar Association, Section of Litigation
  • American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS)
  • The Risk Management Society (RIMS), CT Valley Chapter

 

Recognition
  • Connecticut Law Tribune 2014 New Leader in the Law
  • Listed as Connecticut Super Lawyers® Rising Star in the area of Insurance Coverage in 2013 - 2016 (Super Lawyers is a registered trademark of Key Professional Media, Inc.)
  • Feinstein Institute for Legal Service Public Service Award
Prior Experience
  • Clerk for the Honorable Judith C. Savage, Providence Superior Court
Community Activities
  • Board Member, Lawyers for Children America
Press Releases
Seminars & Events
Newsletters & Alerts
Articles
Speaking Engagements
Bar & Court Admissions
  • Connecticut
  • U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Education
  • Roger Williams University School of Law (J.D.)
  • Stonehill College (B.A.)
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