Marissa M. Finley is an associate in Tressler's Professional Liability Practice Group. She also works with the Insurance Services Practice Group and the Litigation Practice Group. Marissa focuses her practice on representing insurance companies in complex coverage litigation matters. This includes matters in multiple coverage lines, including professional liability, management liability, commercial general liability, excess exposures and extracontractual liability.
Marissa received her B.A. from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her J.D. with a Certificate in Trial Advocacy and Dispute Resolution from the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Law with Cum Laude honors.
Where are you from?
I am from Plainfield, Illinois.
Marissa and her parents.
What was your first job?
My first job was being a host and then a server at Chili's. I still enjoy going there to eat the chips and salsa!
What's are your favorite hobbies?
I like playing golf, even though I am not that good at playing. I also love attending baseball games in the summer (especially when the Chicago White Sox are doing well), solving the daily Wordle and Connections puzzles on The New York Times app and listening to true crime podcasts.
Law school graduation photo at Sox Park.
Do you have any exciting news to share with us?
I'm getting married next year, and we just got a mini Goldendoodle puppy named Bear!
Marissa and her fiancé, Ryan.
Marissa and her bridesmaids.
Marissa's new puppy, Bear.
Marissa, Ryan and Bear.
What is on your bucket list?
My bucket list consists of traveling out of the country, specifically to Greece, Ireland and Italy, since I have never been. I hope to do this for my honeymoon!
Why did you decide to become an attorney?
I decided to become an attorney because I always had a passion for reading and writing, more than the average person, and I am good at arguing.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
A typical workday is not so typical, as it usually depends on what each day surprises me with. Typically, it involves a lot of reading and writing, talking with our talented attorneys and speaking with our wonderful clients.
What areas of practice do you focus on?
I am focusing on both coverage and litigation practice areas, so luckily for me, I get to experience different types of law on a day-to-day basis. I like having the variety with some transactional work and some litigation.
What do you like most about Tressler?
Tressler is a very welcoming space that gives me much room to grow as a person and an attorney. Everyone here is so helpful and we all want each other to succeed, which is refreshing. They also foster a fantastic work-life balance that I appreciate.
What are you most proud of, professionally and/or personally?
I take pride in my strong work ethic, determination and dedication. My passion drives me to always give 110% in everything I do.
What are your most overused words/phrases?
I say the words “literally” and “like” way too much, so if you catch me saying any of those words too much, please stop me.
Do you have a personal mantra or motto?
My personal life mantra is: “She believed she could, so she did.” - R.S. Grey
Tell us something else that we would not know about you
I am a burn survivor. I experienced a scary golf cart accident when I was 17 years old, where battery acid poured onto my skin in various places, causing third-degree burns. In college, I received a scholarship from the From Tragedy to Triumph Foundation, an amazing organization for burn survivors in college. I am now a proud board member of that foundation and have the honor of supporting other burn survivors who have compelling stories and brave hearts.
Marissa and From Tragedy to Triumph President, David G. Schury.
Marissa Finley can be reached at mfinley@tresslerllp.com. Learn more about our attorneys by visiting www.tresslerllp.com/attorneys.
