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Melissa M. Weiss Associate

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Chicago T +1 312 849 8185 F fax +1 312 698 4558
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Melissa counsels companies, public entities, and educational institutions on all manner of labor and employment issues. She regularly defends employers in state and federal court against employment-related claims, including those under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and state discrimination suits. Melissa also advises companies on compliance-related issues that arise in the context of the purchase and sale of businesses.

Melissa has extensive experience conducting internal investigations for private companies, public entities, and educational institutions, including those related to sexual harassment, sexual assault, discrimination and harassment, theft of time and property, and hazing.

In addition, Melissa advises educational institutions on issues related to Title IX, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Department of Education and/or Office of Civil Rights investigations, and faculty and student conduct matters.

Prior to joining McGuireWoods, Melissa worked for a private law firm representing school districts throughout Illinois in matters related to students and special education, labor and employment, and board governance.

Experience

  • Represented public university through tenure revocation process and successfully secured revocation of tenure.
  • Secured dismissal at the motion to dismiss stage for educational institution against student alleging sexual assault by employee.
  • Secured summary judgment for private employer against employee alleging failure to accommodate alleged disability.
  • Conducted high-profile internal investigation of employee allegation of sexual assault by supervisor.
  • Secured summary judgment for private employer against employee alleging pregnancy discrimination.
  • Conducted investigation into allegations of discrimination made by a student against a professor at a liberal arts institution.
  • Conducted large-scale investigation for public institution into employees’ allegations of pattern and practice of age, sex, and race discrimination.
  • Defended various companies against discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation claims under the ADA, Title VII, and ADEA, and reached favorable settlements.