Melia is an associate with Rush Ihas Hardwick LLP who maintains a broad civil litigation practice. She is a steadfast and hardworking litigator who has particular experience in complex construction disputes and an array of commercial matters.
She routinely assists owners, trades, and consultants in all variety of construction matters, including: building contract disputes; performance, design, workmanship, and materials issues; builders’ liens; insurance claims; and payment. She also has experience with property and business disputes more generally, including shareholder remedies.
Melia works with her clients to drive disputes towards a practical and realistic resolution. She is eager to contest the unreasonable expectations of opposing parties in court in order to advance her clients’ interests. And as an advocate, her quiet intelligence and determination make her a difficult opponent, one undeterred by the hurly burly of litigation.
Melia routinely acts for clients in the Supreme Court of British Columbia and Provincial Court, as well as through alternative dispute resolution processes, including mediation and arbitration. She has experience tackling niche areas of law such as successfully petitioning the court for a declaration of death regarding a missing person case.
In law school, Melia competed in various moot competitions, including the Smith Shield Moot at Dalhousie University and the Gale Cup Moot at the Ontario Court of Appeal in Toronto. Melia was the recipient of the A.S. Pattillo Prize for Advocacy in 2017. She completed her articles and practiced with a leading regional firm in Vancouver, focusing on insurance defence litigation. In 2020, she joined Rush Ihas Hardwick LLP to broaden her civil litigation practice.
Awards
- Blakes Scholar 2016 and 2017
- A.S. Pattillo Price in Advocacy 2017
Notable Cases
- Baker v. v The Owners, Strata Plan KAS 2750, 2022 BCSC 1449
Professional Affiliations
- Kelowna Bar Association
