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Melodie K. Arian

Melodie K. Arian

Senior Associate
Overview

A labor and employment litigator and counselor, Melodie values deep dives into client businesses.

Melodie became an attorney because she recognized that law afforded a wide variety of career opportunities: a lifelong learner, she had always wanted a role where she could work with as many fields as possible. She quickly discovered that labor and employment was an especially good fit, letting her dig into a diverse range of industries. Melodie thrives on immersing herself in client businesses so that she can offer the most appropriate legal advice possible.

Melodie defends clients in employment-related litigation, including allegations of employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation; wage and hour violations; unfair business practices; and wrongful discharge, as well as whistleblower claims. She also routinely provides preventative counsel, advising corporate clients on federal and state employment laws to minimize potential liability. With a strong personal interest in international law, Melodie also has experience counseling foreign companies expanding into the United States on U.S. employment laws, as well as assisting domestic clients planning to do business internationally. She has worked extensively with local counsel in Europe, South America, Canada, and the Middle East.

With solid experience in the courtroom, Melodie regularly argues motions in both federal and state courts. Early in her career, she served as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, where she received a behind the scenes education on how litigators could be most effective in the courtroom. However, Melodie most enjoys the preventative counsel portion of her practice: first and foremost a people person, she prioritizes long-term client relationships and values working hand in hand with clients to help them stay ahead of litigation.

Industries

Services

Education

  • J.D., American University Washington College of Law
    • cum laude
    • National Security Law Brief, Articles Editor
    • Human Rights Brief, Staff Editor
  • B.A., University of California, Los Angeles

Admissions

  • California
  • District of Columbia
  • New York
  • Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
    • Editor on the TYL publication, 2018-2019
    • Liaison to the Commission on Women in the Profession, 2017-2018
    • Scholar, 2016-2017
  • American Bar Association, International Law Section
    • Steering Group of the UN & International Organizations Committee Member, 2019-2022
    • The Year in Review Publication Contributor, 2017-2020

Clerkships

  • Honorable Marcia Cooke, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida

Languages

  • Farsi, fluent
  • French, conversational
  • Spanish, conversational


*Contact Melodie to set up an in-person consultation by appointment in the Los Angeles office.
Experience
  • Defended employers in cases involving employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation; wage and hour claims; unfair business practices; whistleblower claims; and wrongful discharge.
  • Counseled and advised corporate clients on federal and state employment laws to minimize potential liability for employee relations decisions, such as investigations of harassment or discrimination, reasonable accommodations, disciplinary procedures, overtime pay, meal and rest breaks, reductions in force, and classifications.
  • Represented a Fortune 500 insurance company in commercial disputes in federal courts involving insurance contracts.
  • Drafted motions to stay litigation in favor of arbitration and various other non-dispositive motions, including motions to compel discovery responses, motions for protective order, motions to extend deadlines, and scheduling orders.
  • Successfully argued a dozen dispositive motions in employment law cases in California state court.
  • Successfully mediated and settled employment law disputes.
Outside the Office

Melodie is an avid traveler with a bucket list full of places; however, her favorite destinations so far have been Central and South America. After graduating from law school, she also had the opportunity to serve as a visiting lecturer of law at Yeditepe University in Istanbul, Turkey, working with international students who intended to later earn an LL.M. in the U.S.

When she’s at home in California, Melodie enjoys boxing, wine tasting, and trying out new restaurants and various cuisines. She also loves time with her Goldendoodle, Pashmak (Persian for “cotton candy.”)

Community Leadership
  • Read to a Child, Board Member, 2018-2019
  • Young Professionals of Orange County, Board Member, 2017-2018