Melissa K. Zonne

Melissa is a skilled trial lawyer who advocates for commercial and individual clients on complex matters. She provides diligent and creative representation through all phases of litigation to achieve each client’s unique goals.

Melissa’s diverse practice focuses on business litigation, including partnership, contract, and corporate asset disputes, and a variety of real estate cases including landlord-tenant matters and construction defect. She also has a robust employment practice, handling both single plaintiff and class action matters with claims including discrimination, harassment, wage and hour, and workplace accidents involving injuries and fatalities. Melissa's dedication to these rapidly evolving industries allows her to effectively tackle novel legal issues that arise for her clients.

Melissa has successfully represented both plaintiffs and defendants in trial in federal and state court, and in private arbitration. Melissa is also experienced in guiding clients through mediation, agency investigations and hearings, administrative hearings, and appeals.

Melissa's experience includes:

• Successful settlement of harassment, retaliation, disability discrimination, and wrongful termination cases filed against employer in the fashion industry
• Represented a nationwide luxury clothing and textiles company in a number of breach of contract lawsuits with suppliers and manufacturers
• Represented a business owner alleging elder abuse and fraud in connection with nine-figures in corporate assets
• Obtained early dismissal in an employment lawsuit in which a pro per plaintiff sought seven-figure damages for numerous claims alleged against his former employer and several executives
• Won a jury trial verdict and six-figure damages for an individual plaintiff in a breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation case in which the plaintiff sought compensatory damages and lost profits related to a dispute with his bank
• Won a complete defense award for developer client against former partner pursuing an illegitimate finder's fee and commission
• Successfully defended a developer in trial against a former partner pursuing unearned consulting fees
• Secured favorable decision in a fair market rent arbitration hearing for client developer against a commercial tenant
• Obtained a favorable settlement for a large government contractor for defective construction against its architect, contractor, and project manager; defeated a motion for summary judgment
• Represented the owner/developer of a prominent high-rise office tower in a lawsuit against an all-risk carrier for breach of insurance policy arising out of damage to the building
• Negotiated lease dispute between nationwide retail company and commercial landlord