Skip to main content

Melissa J. Kendra defends employers in all phases of employment litigation against claims arising from allegations of wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation and whistleblower claims, and wage-and-hour violations. She advises employers on a range of issues and provides preventative counseling. Her clients include organizations, executives, and supervisors from a range of industries, including technology, health care, food and beverage, education, and nonprofit organizations.

Melissa also regularly defends claims before administrative agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor Standards Enforcement, and the Department of Fair Employment and Housing.

Melissa is a former prosecutor and veteran trial attorney. Prior to joining Greenberg Traurig, Melissa served as an Assistant District Attorney, during which time she conducted more than 25 jury trials, performed hundreds of evidentiary hearings, and negotiated countless settlements. Melissa also served as a California Deputy Attorney General in the Appeals Writs and Trials unit, where she briefed and argued complex criminal matters before the California Courts of Appeal.

Capabilities

Experience

  • Deputy Attorney General, California Attorney General’s Office, 2018-2020
  • San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, 2013-2018
    • Assistant District Attorney, 2013-2018
    • Post Bar Clerk, 2013
    • Certified Law Clerk, 2013
  • Adjunct Professor, University of California, Hastings College of Law, 2016-2019
  • Legal Intern, Harris County District Attorney’s Office, 2012
  • Legal Extern, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, 2011

Credentials

Education
  • J.D., University of California, Hastings College of the Law, 2013
    • Member, Hastings Moot Court Board
    • Executive Articles Editor, Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly
  • B.A., University of Texas at Austin, 2010
Admissions
  • California
Languages
  • Spanish
  • English