Melissa J. Judd is an ardent advocate, offers candid advice, and helps devise business-oriented solutions to maximize positive results and mitigate risk for her clients. Her client relationships regularly continue past the conclusion of specific matters, as she strives to provide ongoing resources and information relevant to advancing her clients’ business objectives.
Melissa represents and counsels management clients in connection with a wide array of labor and employment matters arising under federal and state laws. She has represented employers in single-plaintiff and multi-plaintiff employment litigation matters across the state of Texas and has defended claims alleging:
- Race, national origin, religious, sex, age, and disability discrimination
- Workplace harassment
- Wrongful termination under Sabine Pilot case
- Breach of contract and breach of covenants not-to-compete, not-to-disclose, and not-to-solicit
Melissa has handled various state tort claims, including assault, defamation, fraud, negligent misrepresentation; tortious interference with business relations; negligent hiring, training, supervision, and retention; and intentional infliction of emotional distress. In addition, she has successfully defended clients in arbitration and mediation.
Melissa has also defended management in response to administrative charges filed before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the state or local agencies throughout Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and other states.
She has received countless dismissals of charges in her clients’ favor, and, in instances where it makes business sense, she assists employers in mediating charges or negotiating conciliation agreements.
Furthermore, she has experience in assisting clients with fulfilling requirements under conciliation agreements, including conducting employee and manager training. Melissa has conducted employee and manager training, in English and Spanish, regarding workplace discrimination and harassment prevention.
She has trained human resources representatives and managers regarding complying with the ADAAA and conducting investigations in response to allegations of discrimination and harassment.
Prior to joining Littler, Melissa served as a judicial law clerk to the Hon. John William Black of the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. In law school, she was associate editor for the Review of Litigation and a member of the Chicano/Hispanic Law Students Association.
Education :
- J.D., University of Texas School of Law, 2001
- B.A., Yale University, 1998
Courts :
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
Professional & Community Affiliations :
- Member, Texas Women Lawyers
- Member, Houston Bar Association
- Member, Speakers Bureau, Houston Bar Association
- Member, Houston Young Lawyers Association
Cost
Rate : $$$