Melissa A. Lewis
Partner
Melissa A. Lewis partners with employers to navigate complex workplace challenges through practical, strategic, and business-focused legal counsel. Her practice focuses on employment litigation and counseling, including the defense of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, disability accommodation, wage and hour, and wrongful termination claims in state and federal courts, arbitration, and administrative proceedings. She also advises employers on compliance, workplace investigations, leave and accommodation issues, personnel decisions, and other employment matters. By combining strong advocacy with proactive counseling, Ms. Lewis helps employers reduce risk, resolve disputes efficiently, and achieve their business goals. Ms. Lewis earned her J.D. from Thomas Jefferson School of Law and holds a BS in Business Administration and Marketing from Hawaii Pacific University and an AA in Merchandise Marketing from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. She has more than 15 years of legal experience representing employers, businesses, and public entities in employment law matters. Prior to joining Higgs Fletcher & Mack, Ms. Lewis served as a Deputy Attorney General for the State of California and practiced with several California law firms focused on labor and employment law. Her experience includes employment litigation, workplace investigations, compliance counseling, and the defense of complex workplace claims. Ms. Lewis graduated summa cum laude as valedictorian of her law school class and has been recognized throughout her career for excellence in employment law. Her honors include an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®; selection as a Super Lawyers® Rising Star in Labor & Employment; and recognition by San Diego Magazine as a Top Lawyer in Labor & Employment. She is also a Certificate Holder with the Association of Workplace Investigators and is actively involved in leading employment law and legal organizations throughout California and San Diego.
