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.
Wendy'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, Wendy 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. Wendy regularly is invited to lecture on the FLSA, ADA, FMLA, and Title VII and other employment-related issues.
Litigation Experience
Wendy'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
Wendy 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, Wendy 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. Wendy regularly is invited to lecture on the FLSA, ADA, FMLA, and Title VII and other employment-related issues.
Honors and Recognitions
- Odyssey House, "Community Service Award" (2023)
- The Best Lawyers in America©, "Litigation - Labor and Employment" (2018-present)