Melissa Morse Shirley

Practice Details

• Firm Information
  Position

  Partner

  Firm Name

  Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, L.L.P.
• Representative Cases & Transactions
  Cases

  Representative Matters: Litigation: Successfully defended petrochemical facility facing recent trend of employees of third party contractors attempting to obtain ERISA
  other benefits from the client company. Prevailed at trial
  on appeal, thereby defeating what promised to be an expansive representative action.
  Represented significant construction corporation which sued union
  its business agent following aggressive tactics by organizer which jury found in violation of the law. Monetary damages awarded.
  Obtained Judgment as a Matter of Law for retail industry client sued for breach of alleged employment contract
  stock options.
  Unanimous jury verdict for gaming industry client involving allegations of sex discrimination, harassment
  retaliation.
  Obtained Judgment as a Matter of Law in extended multi-defendant jury trial for nursing home concerning alleged race discrimination.
  Secured zero damage award for retail client held to have violated the NLRA.
  Obtained significant defense awards of costs
  attorneys fees in numerous cases for health care, financial
  gaming industry clients sued under a variety of federal
  state discrimination laws.
  Successfully resolved potentially expansive class litigation against a hospital pursued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
  Obtained summary dismissal of numerous significant cases h
  led for health care, retail, financial
  gaming industry clients, including cases involving race discrimination
  harassment
  sex discrimination
  harassment
  retaliation
  whistleblower claims
  pregnancy discrimination
  age discrimination
  harassment
  disparate pay
  defamation
  drug testing
  constitutional claims of equal protection
  violation of due process.
  Counsel on appeal of several significant state
  federal jury awards which were vacated by the Court of Appeal.
  Board/Administrative Proceedings: Successfully defended healthcare organization in one of the first non-union NLRB charges to be brought against the industry in the region.
  Defeated significant union organizing efforts for construction industry client in Dallas, Texas.
  Defended Louisiana health care industry clients against organizing efforts directed toward the nursing profession.
  Assisted in defeating organizing effort for gaming industry clients.
  Defeated multiple unfair labor practice charges brought against construction industry as well as other clients in connection with representation proceedings.
  Successfully defended hundreds of Charges of Discrimination filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. No cause determinations issued against any client to date.
  Defeated discrimination charges against secondary education facilities filed with the Department of Education.
  Successfully mediated matters before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission when such was consistent with clients' goals.