Minnesota Lawyer named Dorsey & Whitney LLP Partner Melissa Raphan to its POWER 30: Employment Law 2025 list. The annual list recognizes influential Minnesota attorneys who have shaped the practice of employment law through their advocacy, leadership, and achievements in and out of the courtroom.
Melissa’s employment litigation experience spans class actions, collective actions, and high-stakes individual disputes in state and federal courts, as well as arbitration forums including the American Arbitration Association and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). She is also a trusted advisor on a full range of workplace issues, from hiring and performance management to sensitive terminations and organizational change. Melissa brings decades of experience representing clients across the financial services, healthcare, food & agriculture, and energy sectors.
In addition to her legal acumen, Melissa has a strong reputation as an advocate for diversity in the business community. She is known for assembling highly diverse teams and for sponsoring the careers of women and attorneys from underrepresented backgrounds.
Minnesota Lawyer’s editorial team selected the 30 honorees through interviews with legal and business leaders, a review of impactful cases, and analysis of each attorney’s influence in the field of employment law.