Melissa Hazell Davis serves as Chair of Griesing Mazzeo Law's Confidential & Sensitive Investigations practice group. She is also a Member of the Firm’s Commercial Litigation and Employment practice groups.
About Melissa Hazell Davis
Melissa represents a wide range of clients, including both public and privately-held corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, and individuals in all types of business disputes. She defends employers in litigation arising out of claims of discrimination, harassment and retaliation, and represents employers in breach of contract, trade secret, non-compete and other business-related disputes. Melissa argues and tries cases in federal and state courts and private arbitrations.
Prior to joining Griesing Mazzeo Law, Melissa worked in the litigation departments of several regional and national law firms. In one of her previous roles, she served as South Carolina counsel in several product liability actions for a Fortune 500 Company with global net sales of $14.9 billion. Melissa received The Legal Intelligencer’s 2017 Lawyer on the Fast Track award, recognizing her as an emerging leader in the profession. In August 2021, she was recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for her work in Labor and Employment Law – Employee and in Litigation – Labor and Employment, which highlights associates and other lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.
Melissa received her J.D. from Columbia Law School, graduating as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. She served as social chair and executive board member of the Black Law Students Association and as a member of both the Courtroom Advocacy Program and the Jerome Michael Jury Trial Program. She received her B.A. in History from Yale University.
Get In Touch with Melissa
When you are an attorney and the parent of two rambunctious little ones, there is little free time to be had. When I do have some time to myself, I like to enjoy the simple things … I love all reality tv and HBO (the Wire is the best tv show of all time). I also enjoy historical dramas (books and film/tv) and given the uniqueness of my profession, I would say I have a knack for unraveling real and current-day dramas in my client’s lives. People are complicated and I love getting to the truth and bottom of things! I also consider myself a little bit of an influencer, but only to my kids, ha! They now love Starbucks, Target runs, and ordering takeout just as much as I do. After I put the kids to bed, there is nothing like a smooth tequila or a strong margarita to unwind!
- Best Lawyers Ones to Watch, 2022 – 2024
– Commercial Litigation
– Labor and Employment Law – Employee
– Litigation – Labor and Employment - The Legal Intelligencer Lawyers on the Fast Track, 2017
– Included in the annual listing of young Pennsylvania lawyers based upon demonstrated quality of legal work
- The Legal Intelligencer, Young Lawyer Editorial Board
– Member, 2023 - The Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, Inc.
– Member, 2016-2021
- “AI Is Our Friend: Using Advancements in Technology Ethically and Responsibly” – Author, The Legal Intelligencer, May 2024
- “E-Discovery Platforms for All: The Case for the Use of E-Discovery Software in All Matters” – Author, The Legal Intelligencer, January 2024
- “Navigating the Legal Issues Related to DEI Programs” – Panelist, NAMWOLF DDLC, March 2023
- “Cost-Saving Measures Are No Excuse for Discovery Failures” – Author, The Legal Intelligencer, January 2023
- “Stagnation and the Law: When Diversity Efforts Flounder” – Author, The Legal Intelligencer, November 2022
- “Beyond the Schoolyard: Effective Strategies for Ethically Dealing with Bullies in the Practice of Law” – Co-Presenter, LawPracticeCLE, August 2020
- “Make Room Millennials: Gen Zs Are Coming to Law Firms” – Author, The Legal Intelligencer, June 2019
- “Can You Tell Me a Little About Yourself?: Hiring Biases on College Campuses” – Co-Author, The Legal Intelligencer, March 2019
- “Medical Marijuana and the Effect of Legalization on College Campuses” – Co-Author, The Legal Intelligencer, June 2018
- “Low-Cost, Effective Tech. Solutions Make a Difference” – Author, Philadelphia Bar Reporter, June 2017
- “Big Changes Coming to Federal Overtime Regulations” – Author, Philadelphia Bar Reporter, October 2016
Areas of Expertise
- Complex Commercial Litigation
- Insurance Coverage
- Labor & Employment Matters
Education
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Columbia Law School, J.D., with honors
– Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
– Quarterfinalist, Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition
– Social Chair, Executive Board Member, Black Law Students Association
– Member, Courtroom Advocacy Program
– Member, Jerome Michael Jury Trial Program -
Yale University, B.A., History
– Phi Alpha Theta Society (History Honor Society)
– Presidential Public Service Fellowship
– Treasurer, Finance Committee, Black Church at Yale
– President, Vice-President of Organization, Kappa Kappa Gamma
Bar Admissions
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- United States District Court, District of New Jersey
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court, District of South Carolina