Melissa Hazell Davis

I focus my practice on complex commercial litigation, insurance coverage, and labor and employment matters.

When you are an attorney and the parent of two rambunctious little ones, there is little free time to be had.  When I do have some time to myself, I like to enjoy the simple things ... I love all reality tv and HBO (the Wire is the best tv show of all time).  I also enjoy historical dramas (books and film/tv) and given the uniqueness of my profession, I would say I have a knack for unraveling real and current-day dramas in my client’s lives. People are complicated and I love getting to the truth and bottom of things! I also consider myself a little bit of an influencer, but only to my kids, ha! They now love Starbucks, Target runs, and ordering takeout just as much as I do.  After I put the kids to bed, there is nothing like a smooth tequila or a strong margarita to unwind!

Melissa represents a wide range of clients, including both public and privately-held corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, and individuals in all types of business disputes. She defends employers in litigation arising out of claims of discrimination, harassment and retaliation, and represents employers in breach of contract, trade secret, non-compete and other business-related disputes. Melissa argues and tries cases in federal and state courts and private arbitrations.

Prior to joining Griesing Mazzeo Law, Melissa worked in the litigation departments of several regional and national law firms. In one of her previous roles, she served as South Carolina counsel in several product liability actions for a Fortune 500 Company with global net sales of $14.9 billion. Melissa received The Legal Intelligencer’s 2017 Lawyer on the Fast Track award, recognizing her as an emerging leader in the profession. In August 2021, she was recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for her work in Labor and Employment Law – Employee and in Litigation – Labor and Employment, which highlights associates and other lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.

Melissa received her J.D. from Columbia Law School, graduating as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar.  She served as social chair and executive board member of the Black Law Students Association and as a member of both the Courtroom Advocacy Program and the Jerome Michael Jury Trial Program. She received her B.A. in History from Yale University.