Melissa A. Barahona

Melissa A. Barahona’s practice focuses on all aspects of employment-related and commercial litigation before federal and state courts, administrative agencies and alternative dispute resolution bodies.  Her employment experience includes defense of claims of discrimination, harassment/hostile work environment, and retaliation; disputes involving the enforcement of employment contracts and restrictive covenants; and tort claims arising out of the employment relationship, such as breach of fiduciary duty, unfair competition and tortious interference.  Her commercial litigation experience includes high-stakes disputes involving business torts and breach of contract.

Melissa also advises clients on a broad variety of issues, including terminations and other disciplinary actions; employment and separation agreements; investigations of alleged harassment and other employee misconduct; employment policies and practices; and litigation avoidance.

Melissa also devotes her time to a number of pro bono matters.  She has represented clients seeking asylum, as well as clients in matrimonial and custody matters.

Melissa has been recognized by Chambers USA where clients describe her as "very smart" and note that she "offers great insight," by Benchmark Litigation, by Diversity Journal as a Woman Worth Watching, by Latino Leaders Magazine as a Latino Lawyer to Keep on the Watch, by Lawdragon on its 500 X – The Next Generation list, by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star and by Best Lawyers.  In 2023, she was a Fellow with Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, a program that identifies high-potential diverse attorneys and provides training on leadership skills and professional development.