Melissa Eaves is special counsel in the White Collar Defense and Corporate Investigations Practice Group in the firm's Los Angeles office.

Areas of Practice

Melissa currently focuses her practice on complex civil litigation, fraud, investigations white collar criminal defense and False Claims Act litigation. She has been practicing more than 30 years and has substantial experience in TVPRA/human trafficking litigation, American with Disabilities Act and FTC litigation, compliance investigations, FAR MDR reviews and insolvency litigation. Melissa was part of the team that recently won a complete defense victory in a human trafficking case.

Melissa has successfully represented numerous individuals and entities in connection with a wide range of federal and state investigations and prosecutions. In civil litigation, she has successfully represented both clients in both state and federal court.

In addition to complex litigation and white collar defense work, Melissa handles internal investigations for companies.  She is an experienced and skilled investigator, handling investigatory matters involving whistleblower claims, harassment and workplace misconduct, criminal misconduct, and healthcare fraud. She has also worked with governmental agencies such as the OIG, DOJ, FTC, SEC, and HHS in connection with such investigations. 

Melissa has also obtained complete defense verdicts in trials involving ADA claims. In addition, she has represented the California Insurance Commissioner in the Executive Life Insurance Company, First Capital and Mission Insurance Group insolvencies and reinsurance litigation, involving over 300 reinsurers worldwide, representing recoveries in excess of $1.3 billion. Melissa has substantial litigation experience in both state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, enforcing judgments abroad and supervision of domestic and foreign outside counsel.