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Los Angeles

T(213) 955-5605

Orange County

T(949) 851-5440

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Education

  • J.D., University of California, Irvine School of Law

  • B.A., cum laude, Georgetown University

Bar Admissions

  • California

Services

  • Labor & Employment

  • Litigation & Counseling

Melissa K. Bell

Partner

Melissa is an employment partner based in both Los Angeles and Orange County. Melissa serves as a trusted advisor to management and human resources professionals, providing employment advice and counseling on employment agreements, workplace policies, and personnel issues. She also represents employers in litigation and before government agencies, such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the California Civil Rights Department, and the California Labor Commissioner.

Melissa defends wage and hour class actions, representative actions under California's Labor Code Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), as well as employment harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination claims. Melissa also represents employers in charges and investigations before government agencies, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the California Civil Rights Department, and the California Labor Commissioner.

While she was in law school, Melissa served as a judicial extern to the Honorable David O. Carter, U.S. District Court, Central Division of California. Prior to law school, Melissa worked on data privacy issues for Google. She serves as Co-Chair of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee, and actively provides pro bono legal representation. An avid runner, hiker, and National Park aficionado, Melissa has hiked the 211-mile John Muir Trail.

ACCOLADES

  • Named to The Best Lawyers in America® "Ones to Watch" list (2023 - 2025)
  • Named to Southern California Rising Stars by Super Lawyers (2024 - 2025) 

Melissa defends wage and hour class actions, representative actions under California's Labor Code Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), as well as employment harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination claims. Melissa also represents employers in charges and investigations before government agencies, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the California Civil Rights Department, and the California Labor Commissioner.

While she was in law school, Melissa served as a judicial extern to the Honorable David O. Carter, U.S. District Court, Central Division of California. Prior to law school, Melissa worked on data privacy issues for Google. She serves as Co-Chair of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee, and actively provides pro bono legal representation. An avid runner, hiker, and National Park aficionado, Melissa has hiked the 211-mile John Muir Trail.

ACCOLADES

  • Named to The Best Lawyers in America® "Ones to Watch" list (2023 - 2025)
  • Named to Southern California Rising Stars by Super Lawyers (2024 - 2025) 
  • Connect Frameworks: Employee Expression in the Workplace

    Webinar

    10.29.20

  • ACC San Diego Webinar: Employee Expression in the Workplace

    Webinar

    9.22.20

  • 2025 Labor & Employment Law Update for California Employers

    12.12.24

  • 64 Allen Matkins Lawyers Recognized in Best Lawyers in America®

    Press Release

    8.15.24

  • Allen Matkins Elects Six Lawyers to Partnership

    Press Release

    7.01.24

  • FTC Final Rule Banning Most Worker Noncompete Agreements

    5.03.24

  • Key Updates in 2024 For California Employers: Paid Sick Leave, Cannabis Protections, Reproductive Loss, Covenants, and COVID-19 Requirements

    12.07.23

  • 38 Allen Matkins Partners Recognized in 2024 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®; Keith Bishop, Jeff Chine, and Val Hoy Named ‘Lawyers of the Year’; 16 Additional Lawyers Named to ‘Ones to Watch’ List

    Press Release

    8.17.23

  • 2023 Labor & Employment Law Update for California Employers

    12.12.22

  • California Expands Employer Pay Scale Disclosure and Data Reporting Requirements

    10.05.22

  • 40 Allen Matkins Partners Recognized in 2023 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®; Dwight Armstrong, Jeff Chine, Val Hoy, and Sandi Nichols Named ‘Lawyers of the Year’; 13 Additional Attorneys Named to ‘Ones to Watch’ List; Firm Receives National Tier 1 Rankings

    Press Release

    8.19.22

  • U.S. Supreme Court Enforces Employer’s Bilateral Arbitration Agreement, Approving Dismissal of PAGA Representative Claims

    6.30.22

  • 2022 Labor & Employment Law Update for California Employers

    12.09.21

  • 2021 Labor & Employment Law Update for California Employers

    12.10.20

  • Employee Expression in the Workplace

    By Grant P. Alexander and Melissa K. Bell in the Daily Journal

    Article

    7.15.20

  • New Requirements for Employers Under the Coronavirus Relief Law

    3.20.20

  • 2020 Labor & Employment Law Update for California Employers

    12.10.19

  • 2019 Labor & Employment Law Update for California Employers

    12.11.18

  • 2018 Labor & Employment Law Update for California Employers

    12.05.17

  • New Laws Prohibit Employers from Inquiring into Applicants' Criminal Convictions and Salary Histories

    10.24.17

  • FEHA Regulations Amended Regarding Consideration of Criminal History in Employment Decisions

    6.07.17

  • California's "Day of Rest" Requirement

    5.24.17

  • New California Employment Laws of Particular Interest to the Hospitality Industry

    12.19.16

  • 2017 Labor & Employment Law Update for California Employers

    12.07.16

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