Wendy J. Mellk

Wendy J. Mellk is a Principal in the New York City, New York, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Since joining the firm in October 1996, she has concentrated her practice in employment litigation and counseling employers on a full range of workplace issues including wage and hour compliance.

Ms. Mellk's litigation practice includes the defense of employers in single and multi-plaintiff actions before state and federal courts, the American Arbitration Association and administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the New York State Division of Human Rights on claims of discrimination (gender, race, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation), sexual harassment, breach of contract, retaliation, violation of whistleblower protections and wage/hour laws, and wrongful discharge and related tort claims (invasion of privacy, defamation, interference with business relations, misrepresentation, and fraud). She also has handled appeals before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and the New York State Appellate Division.

She has represented numerous clients in national collective actions under the FLSA for overtime compensation and has experience in all aspects of class action cases, including developing litigation strategy, overseeing class-wide discovery, preparing potential exposure analyses, opposing class certification, interviewing witnesses, defending and taking depositions and retaining experts.

In her counseling practice, Ms. Mellk advises employers on issues such as wage and hour, disability management, reductions in force, privacy in the workplace, terminations without litigation, restrictive covenants, best practice employment policies, hiring and separations, and performance management. She also conducts management training for employers on a wide variety of employment law topics. Ms. Mellk regularly is invited to lecture on the FLSA, ADA, FMLA, and Title VII and other employment-related issues.

Litigation Experience

Ms. Mellk's litigation practice includes the defense of employers in single and multi-plaintiff actions before state and federal courts, the American Arbitration Association and administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the New York State Division of Human Rights on claims of discrimination (gender, race, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation), sexual harassment, breach of contract, retaliation, violation of whistleblower protections and wage/hour laws, and wrongful discharge and related tort claims (invasion of privacy, defamation, interference with business relations, misrepresentation, and fraud). She also has handled appeals before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and the New York State Appellate Division.

FLSA Collective Actions Experience

Ms. Mellk has represented numerous clients in national collective actions under the FLSA for overtime compensation and has experience in all aspects of class action cases, including developing litigation strategy, overseeing class-wide discovery, preparing potential exposure analyses, opposing class certification, interviewing witnesses, defending and taking depositions and retaining experts.

Advice and Counsel Experience

In her counseling practice, Ms. Mellk advises employers on issues such as wage and hour, disability management, reductions in force, privacy in the workplace, terminations without litigation, restrictive covenants, best practice employment policies, hiring and separations, and performance management. She also conducts management training for employers on a wide variety of employment law topics. Ms. Mellk regularly is invited to lecture on the FLSA, ADA, FMLA, and Title VII and other employment-related issues.

Wendy J. Mellk In the News

Wendy Mellk Co-Authors Viewpoint: Rethinking the Way to Gender Pay Equity

May 14, 2020 • SHRM

The Best Lawyers in America 2020 Honors Jackson Lewis Attorneys

August 15, 2019 • Jackson Lewis

Jackson Lewis Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2019

August 15, 2018 • Jackson Lewis

Wendy J. Mellk Publications

newsletter

The EPL Insurance Advisor - May 2019

May 17, 2019

special-report

EPLI Trends, Sexual Harassment Claims, and Planning for 2019

May 15, 2019

Webinars

webinar

COVID-19: Daily Briefing - Tips To Mitigate Potential EEO and Wage/Hour Related Exposures Related to Managing a Remote Workforce

4 - 4:30 PM EST
Archived

webinar

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: The Solutions

11 - 12:00 PM EST
Archived

webinar

Law Firms Under Siege: Protecting Your Firm From Employment-Related Claims

12 - 1:30 PM EST
Archived