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Overview
MELISSA HELPS CLIENTS WITH A VARIETY OF EMPLOYMENT LAW MATTERS.
Melissa is a Partner and Chair of the Labor and Employment group. She represents employers in employment litigation matters including class actions, collective actions, multi-plaintiff actions and single plaintiff cases nationwide and in administrative settings, including state and federal agencies. She regularly handles arbitrations before the American Arbitration Association and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA). Melissa counsels employers on a full range of issues including performance management, selection and termination. She designs and delivers training on every aspect of the employment relationship. Melissa is a frequent speaker on employment law topics.
Education & Admissions
Boston College Law School (J.D.), Boston College International and Comparative Law Review
Notes and Comments Editor, 1986-87
Duke University (B.A.), cum laude
Admissions
- Minnesota
- Massachusetts
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
- Minnesota Supreme Court
Experience
Representative Work
- Lead counsel for insurance companies in multiple jurisdictions handling claims of defamation, discrimination, Equal Pay Act, breach of contract, retaliation and tortious interference with contract
- Lead counsel for financial services companies in multiple jurisdictions handling claims involving breach of contract, fraud/misrepresentation, retaliation and defamation (Form U-5)
- Lead counsel for utility company in cases involving sexual harassment, gender discrimination in pay (Equal Pay Act and Title VII), retaliation and tortious interference with contract
- Price v. Northern States Power (8th Cir.): Won affirmance of summary dismissal of three-count complaint for discriminatory pay practices under Equal Pay Act, Title VII and the Minnesota Human Rights Act
- Brown v. Ameriprise (D. Minn.): Won dismissal of complaint with prejudice filed following discovery that plaintiff cut and pasted complaint in violation of Rule 11
- Heykants v. U.S. Bank (S.D. Iowa): Won summary dismissal of retaliation claim under Title VII and the Iowa Human Rights Act
- Tubbs v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (D. Minn.): Won summary dismissal of claims for disability discrimination and failure to accommodate under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Minnesota Human Rights Act
- Boxdorfer v. Thrivent Financial (S.D. Ind.): Won summary dismissal of three-count complaint for defamation (based on Form U-5); breach of contract and intentional infliction of emotional distress
- Pederson v. RBC (FINRA Arbitration): Successfully tried twelve-day FINRA arbitration on claims of gender discrimination, Equal Pay Act and breach of contract
Representative Clients
News & Resources
Articles
May 21, 2018
January 17, 2018
April 5, 2017
February 24, 2017
February 1, 2017
January 13, 2017
May 27, 2016
March 26, 2015
March 13, 2015
November 21, 2014
EEOC Developments on Religious Rights and Background Checks
July 9, 2014
May 12, 2014
April 16, 2014
March 31, 2014
March 10, 2014
April 30, 2012
News & Press Mentions
August 15, 2018
April 27, 2018
February 27, 2018
December 7, 2017
December 5, 2017
December 5, 2017
August 15, 2017
August 15, 2016
May 31, 2016
August 17, 2015
June 22, 2015
May 27, 2014
Events & Speaking Engagements
May 3, 2018
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
September 22, 2009
Select Presentations
- Frequent speaker on variety of employment law topics including retaliation, constructive discharge, discipline and discharge, sexual harassment.
- "Annual Construction Symposium," Dorsey & Whitney, May 2018
- #youtoo: Why the Construction Industry Needs to Focus on Sexual Harassment
- “Disciplining and Discharging the Problem Employee – Multiple Case Studies,” 2014 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, May 2014
- “Discovery Wars: A View From the Trenches and Above,” 2014 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, May 2014
- “L&E Review & Preview: A Look Back at 2013 and a Look Ahead to 2014,” Dorsey U, February 2014
- “Annual Civil Litigator Short Course,” Minnesota CLE, January 2014
- “Problem Employees,” Minnesota CLE, August 2013
- “Salespeople – Can’t Live With Them – Can’t Live Without Them,” 2012 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, May 2012
- “How to Discipline & Discharge Without Disaster,” 2012 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, May 2012
- “Finding the (Legal) Tipping Point – How Discipline and Discharge Decisions Play Out in the Courtroom,” 2011 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, May 2011
- “Hindsight is 20/20: Ten Steps Every Employer Should Take When Making Discipline and Discharge Decisions,” Dorsey Employment Law Seminar, April 2011
- “Kidwell v. Sybaritic – Inside Counsel Whistleblower and Ethics Issues,” Dorsey U, August 2010
- “View from the Top: Best Practices in Helping Women Advance in the Legal Profession and Why it Should Matter to Everyone,” Dorsey U, June 2010
Publications
- Co-Author (Chapter 7) of The Federal District of Minnesota Civil Practice Deskbook, Minnesota CLE (2014)
- Co-Author (Chapter 7) of The FMLA Handbook, Minnesota CLE, Inc. (2012)
- Co-Author (Chapter 6) of Discipline and Discharge Handbook, Minnesota CLE, Inc. (2010) (updated 2014)
Industries & Practices
Banking and Financial Institutions
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceSecurities & Financial Services Litigation & Enforcement
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practice- Banking and Financial Institutions
- Emerging Companies
- Health Care
- Labor & Employment
- Legal Project Management
- Securities & Financial Services Litigation & Enforcement
Accolades
- Named one of “America’s Leading Business Lawyers” by Chambers USA (Labor & Employment), 2005-2018
- Listed as a Woman Leader in the Law by Legal Leaders, 2018
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America©, 2009-2019
- Listed as a Minnesota Super Lawyer, 2006-2018
- MSBA North Star Lawyer, 2013-2017
- Dorsey & Whitney, Scales of Justice Award, 2014
- Dorsey Partner of the Year Award, 2014
