Melissa works on the full range of employment law issues, from day-to-day advice through to complex disputes. She is an experienced litigator who regularly represents clients at mediation and before the Employment Relations Authority. Melissa also undertakes workplace investigations and guides organisations through them, as well as regularly presenting at employment law seminars and conferences. Melissa can accept direct instructions from clients, without an instructing solicitor, for employment matters. 

Melissa has practised law for over 22 years, primarily in law firms, but she has also spent time on secondments in large organisations. Melissa studied at Victoria University in Wellington and began her career in private practice in 2002 at Morrison Kent, before moving to Thomas Dewar Szrianyi Letts. Melissa also worked in London for nine years at Fieldfisher and Blake Morgan law firms and returned home in 2014.

Prior to joining the Independent Bar in 2025, Melissa was Special Counsel at DLA Piper and the Director of Pro bono, and subsequently a partner at both McVeagh Fleming and BE Employment in Auckland.