As a member of the Labor and Employment Group, Melissa Vest focuses her practice on the representation of employers in all aspects of employment issues, from day-to-day counseling through administrative proceedings and litigation. Her labor and employment experience includes defending discrimination, retaliation, and harassment claims; preparing persuasive position statements and responses to agency investigations; and advising clients on practical risk-management strategies. Melissa also partners with management teams on workforce-related documents and compliance, including drafting and revising employee handbooks, workplace policies, and employment agreements, and advising on the enforcement of and compliance with restrictive covenants and other post-employment obligations.
In addition, Melissa maintains an active commercial litigation practice, representing businesses in a range of disputes with particular emphasis on transportation and trucking matters; construction liens and related proceedings; breach of contract claims; and premises liability matters. She assists clients at all stages of a case, including early case assessment, discovery, motion practice, and working toward efficient resolution through negotiation, mediation, and trial when necessary.
Melissa also assists clients in financial services litigation. She has defended multiple banks, mortgage companies, and mortgage servicers against allegations of wire fraud, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty, as well as provided legal representation regarding foreclosure issues and quiet title claims.