Melissa regularly represents Fortune 100 companies in complex business litigation matters. Her practice focuses on commercial litigation, environmental torts, business torts, contractual disputes, fiduciary matters, and intellectual property litigation. She has handled consumer litigation cases involving TILA, RESPA, FDCPA, FCRA, and state consumer protection statutes. She has experience in trial and appellate matters in both federal and state courts.
Melissa serves as co-chair of the firm’s Consumer & Retail Financial Product Litigation Subteam and co-chair of the Baltimore Office Recruiting Committee.
Before entering private practice, Melissa was a judicial intern and law clerk to the Honorable Andre M. Davis in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (2007, 2008-2009) and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (2009-2010).
Melissa was also a Fulbright Fellow (2004-2005) in the Philippines researching the effects of patents on Filipino pharmaceuticals and healthcare.
While attending law school at the University of Maryland, Melissa received the William P. Cunningham Award for Exception Achievement and Service and the Litigation and Advocacy Award. As an undergraduate, she was a member of Delta Epsilon Sigma, Kappa Mu Epsilon and Sigma Pi Sigma.
Melissa served as president of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Maryland in 2015-2016. She has previously served as chairperson of the Community Service Committee.
Successfully first chaired defense of securitization trustee in trial and appellate courts in lead paint matters.
Successfully first chaired defense of mortgage servicing companies in multiple foreclosure appeals.
Successfully first chaired defense of major financial institution in former borrower’s consumer claims in trial and appellate courts.
Successfully defended motion for temporary restraining order and obtained early dismissal on behalf of major financial institution by customer whose fraudulently-obtained funds were frozen.
Successfully excluded expert report and won summary judgment on behalf of major financial institution against customer’s breach of contract and negligence claims.
Obtained early dismissal of claims against major financial institution by law firm that fell victim to phishing scheme perpetrated by third party fraudster.
Represented major financial institution in a $100 million check fraud suit brought by the District of Columbia after one of its employees issued fraudulent tax refund checks for more than $40 million dollars through an account maintained at the bank.
Represented Class I railroad as plaintiff in recovery action against commercial truck driver arising from grade crossing collision and ensuing derailment.
Served on appellate team that successfully represented multinational oil and gas company in its appeals of more than $1.5 billion in verdicts rendered by juries in two cases stemming from an underground gasoline leak.
Represented major telecommunications company in patent infringement lawsuits.
Represented banking and lending institutions in various litigation matters ranging from allegations of fraud, violations of the Uniform Commercial Code, and violations of consumer protection and debt collection statutes.
Named to "Top 40 Under 40," The Baltimore Business Journal, 2019
Named to "Maryland's VIP List," The Daily Record, 2015
Named to "Maryland Rising Stars," Business Litigation, Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2015-2018
Named to "Maryland's Leading Women," The Daily Record, 2013
Board Member, The Francis D. Murnaghan, Jr. Appellate Advocacy Fellowship
Board Member, ¡Adelante Latina!
Member, Maryland State Bar Association
Member, District of Columbia Bar Association
National Filipino American Lawyers Association
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Maryland