Melonie L. McKenzie Stothers | Barris, Sott, Denn & Driker, P.L.L.C. |
(313) 965-9725 Pay Now
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Attorneys
Melonie  L.M. Stothers

PRACTICE AREAS

Employment Litigation and Counseling
Business Counseling
Litigation
Professional Liability Defense
Bet The Company Litigation

EDUCATION

J.D. Cum Laude, with a Certificate in Law, Technology & Management - Syracuse University College of Law - 2002
  • Syracuse Law Review, Form and Accuracy Editor
  • Syracuse Law & Technology Journal, Associate Editor
B.S. Cum Laude - Mathematics - Michigan Technological University - 1999
 

HONORS & AWARDS

Named Super Lawyer for 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019
Named Rising Star for 2012 by Super Lawyers Michigan
Named Up & Coming Lawyer for 2011 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly
Melonie L.M. Stothers
Member
CONTACT INFORMATION
Tel: 313-596-9324
Fax: 313-965-2493
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​Melonie is an experienced employment attorney, regularly defending employers in lawsuits and in front of administrative bodies.  She also advises employers on employment regulations and crafting employment policies.

Melonie stays abreast of the extensive and fast-changing actions being taken by the state, federal, and local governments in response ot the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.  Melonie advises clients on best practices.

Some of Melonie’s recent victories in court include obtaining summary disposition for an employer on a multi-count complaint alleging federal and state claims of retaliation and race and age discrimination based upon disparate treatment and disparate impact; and obtaining summary judgment for an employer on a multi-count compliant under federal and Michigan law for sex and age discrimination in federal district court.

Melonie handles clients’ employment compliance matters, acting as employment counsel to smaller companies without in-house legal staff, assisting them with investigations and responding to problems before those advance to lawsuits.  She helps employers draft and craft their employment policies and procedures and provides answers to their employment questions to meet legal requirements, limit potential liability, and foster a positive work environment. She also regularly represents employers in court and in administrative tribunals such as the EEOC, MDCR, and NLRB.

Melonie has extensive experience in electronic discovery, with experience in all aspects, from implementing litigation holds to collection, review, and production of electronically stored information, as well as a working knowledge of the law in this developing area.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

  • Successfully prevented a finding of “joint employer” status by NLRB against an employer.
  • Obtained closure of many EEOC and MDCR charges against various clients on charges as varied as sex discrimination, disability discrimination, race discrimination, and pregnancy discrimination.
  • Revised employment manuals.
  • Revamped and re-created extensive employment application and background check form for global company.
  • Drafted and negotiated employment, non-compete, confidentiality, and severance agreements.

PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC LEADERSHIP

  • President of Michigan Chapter of the Children's Heart Foundation and Member of Board of Directors for the Children's Heart Foundation from 2016 to 2019
  • Member of Board of Directors for the Michigan Chapter of the Children’s Heart Foundation from 2012 to 2019
  • Secretary of the Law Practice Management and Legal Administrator’s Section of the State Bar of Michigan from 2010 through 2013
  • Vice President and Member of Board of Directors of It’s My Heart-Metro Detroit from 2010 to 2011
  • Member of Southeast Michigan's Congenital Heart Walk Committe from 2010 to 2019

PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

  • Breaking the Power Point Mold, State Bar of Michigan Law Practice Management & Legal Administrations Section Spring 2011 e-Newsletter (6/29/11)
  • Note, How Should Competing Software Programs Marry? The Antitrust Ramifications of Standard-Setting Consortia in the Software Industry, 52 Syracuse L. Rev. 139 (2001)

PRO BONO EXPERIENCE

Melonie and another BSDD attorney successfully worked with the ACLU of Michigan in protecting several protestors' and motorists' right to honk for peace. The two BSDD attorneys donated hundreds of pro bono hours challenging the City of Ferndale's policy prohibiting "Honk for Peace" signs and the motorists who honked in response. Ultimately, U.S. District Court Judge Denise Page Hood struck down the City's policy in the first decision of its kind. No other court had addressed whether the United States Constitution protected such activity before this case had been brought.

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • Michigan
  • New York
  • U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • U.S. District Court - Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan