Dinsmore & Shohl LLP is pleased to announce Melanie Norris has joined the Firm’s commercial litigation practice group as a partner of counsel, with an emphasis on representing clients in the insurance industry. Norris arrives from Steptoe & Johnson PLLC.

Melanie’s arrival to Dinsmore’s Wheeling, West Virginia office adds to a powerhouse team, led by Denise Pentino, with decades of experience representing insurance carriers in litigation, coverage opinions, and other counseling needs.

“I’ve always admired Dinsmore as a law firm, particularly in this region of West Virginia and Ohio,” Melanie said. “An opportunity arose to work directly with Denise Pentino, and I have the utmost respect for her.”

For 23 years, Melanie has worked in the region providing direct representation for insurance carriers. In her first weeks at Dinsmore, she hit the ground running and has been busy working on cases defending bad faith litigation in West Virginia. Melanie’s addition to the Firm sets a winning formula for clients, by providing more attorney coverage, and the ability to handle larger caseloads to meet clients’ needs.

“I have known Melanie my entire professional career,” said Denise Pentino, the office managing partner in Wheeling. “She is an outstanding litigator and I am more than thrilled that she has joined our team. This strategic addition has provided an additional layer of strength and depth our West Virginia practice and will allow us to more effectively and efficiently service our clients with Melanie’s experience complementing our existing practice.”

Melanie earned her J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, and her undergrad degree from Muskingum University. She is admitted to practice law in Ohio and West Virginia. Named to the Best Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America lists, Melanie has also served as a member of the Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia and DRI.