Melissa Rake

Melissa Rake represents employers on employment law and labor relations. 

An effective litigator with extensive California state and federal court experience, Melissa diligently advocates for clients across various sectors—technology, finance, retail, entertainment, and nonprofit—in and out of the courtroom. She handles all litigation matters in single-plaintiff, multi-plaintiff, and class actions, guiding and defending her clients through their most complex employment disputes including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, defamation, performance, pay equity, benefits, and wage-hour claims.

Melissa works to protect her clients before disputes reach the litigation stage, advising HR departments on policies and practices, employment agreements and handbooks, and legal compliance. She has conducted on-site employee interviews for wage-hour class actions and led sexual harassment supervisor trainings. She also has valuable experience with regulators such as OSHA and has successfully defended against government enforcement actions and whistleblower claims at trial. 

Melissa helps clients through all stages of litigation, from pretrial motions to direct and cross-examination  to settlement negotiations and appeals. Melissa's employment representation extends to pro bono work where she has drafted employment-related agreements for nonprofit organizations and assisted immigrants on visa applications.