Overview
Melonie advises employers in various industries on a broad range of workplace privacy and information security issues, including compliance with the California Consumer Privacy Act and navigating biometric data privacy issues, social media use, background checks, and more. She has counseled clients on internal reviews of their systems to assess how changes should be implemented to strengthen compliance with emerging state privacy and labor law requirements, including best practices for managing employee data. Melonie is certified by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) as a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US), a designation demonstrating her understanding of U.S. privacy and security practices and their applicability to the workplace.
Melonie also defends employers before state and federal agencies, including the EEOC and state human rights agencies, and federal courts in single-plaintiff and class action lawsuits alleging claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination matters. Melonie’s experience with dispute resolution and background as a commercial litigator allows her to approach employers with a fresh perspective in counseling on hiring, leave, discipline and termination, and litigation risk assessment.
Prior to joining Dorsey, Melonie served as a law clerk to the Honorable Roy S. Payne in the Eastern District of Texas. During her clerkship, Melonie worked on a variety of cases, including employment discrimination and patent infringement.
Education & Admissions
Emory University School of Law (J.D., 2016),
- The Order of Barristers
- Director-in-Chief, Emory Moot Court Society
- President, Emory Black Law Students Association
- Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities
- Dean’s Public Service Award
- Pro Bono Publico Medal
University of Akron (B.A., Political Science, 2013),
- summa cum laude
- Order of Omega
- Phi Sigma Alpha
- Sprinter, Women’s Track and Field
Admissions
- California
- Alabama
- U.S. District Court for the Northern, Central, and Eastern Districts of California
- U.S. District Court for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Alabama
- U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
Languages
- French (basic conversational proficiency)
Clerkships
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas, Honorable Roy S. Payne, 2018-2019
Experience
Representative Experience
Labor and Employment
- Discrimination
- Harassment
- Retaliation
- Wrongful termination
- Wage and Hour
Cybersecurity, Privacy & Social Media
- Security incident investigations and response
- GDPR, CCPA, CPRA, and international privacy compliance
- Data protection in the workplace
- Employee privacy policies
News & Resources
Articles
News & Press Mentions
Podcasts
Events & Speaking Engagements
Legal Writings
- Co-Author, Non-Monetary Relief, in A PRACTITIONER’S GUIDE TO CLASS ACTIONS (Marcy Greer ed., 2d ed. 2017).
Industries & Practices
Labor & Employment Guides
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceCybersecurity, Privacy & Social Media
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceFood, Beverage & Agribusiness
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceHealthcare & Life Sciences
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practice- Artificial Intelligence
- Cybersecurity, Privacy & Social Media
- Food, Beverage & Agribusiness
- Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Labor & Employment
- Labor & Employment Guides
- Technology
Professional & Civic
Professional Achievements
- Member, California Lawyers Association: Intellectual Property Law, Labor & Employment Law, and Privacy Law Sections
- Member, American Bar Association: Intellectual Property Young Lawyers Action Group, Labor and Employment Law Section
- Member, Federal Bar Association
Community Involvement
- Board of Directors, Thurgood Marshall Bar Association
- National Advisory Council, The Life of a Single Mom
Accolades
- Named "Southern California Ones to Watch" in Labor and Employment Law - Management by Best Lawyers®, 2025
- Contributed more than 50+ Diversity hours, 2021-2022
- Contributed more than 50 Challenge pro bono hours, 2021
- Named to the Top 10 Young Diverse Lawyers of Orange County list by the Orange County Coalition for Diversity Lawyers of Orange County