Mellissa Schafer concentrates her practice in the areas of workers' compensation defense, general liability and tort coverage.

She has successfully defended prominent companies in some highly complex matters. Prior to joining Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in December 2002, she was a senior associate at Kasdorf, Lewis and Swietlik, S.C., where she handled numerous workers' compensation hearings and worked as a trial attorney focusing in general liability and automobile cases.

Ms. Schafer practiced in the firm's Milwaukee office before transferring to Los Angeles in 2003. While in Milwaukee, she served on the board of directors of the Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association. Ms Schafer's publications include, "Brief Synopsis on Wisconsin Law Involving Subpoenas and Search Warrants," Risky Business, Wisconsin Society for Health Care Risk Management, January 2004.

Her most recent presentation was “Implementing Successful Surveillance to Defeat Fraudulent Claims,” for the Council on Education Management, in Los Angeles, California, May 2005.