Our People

Melanie L. Chaney

Associate, Los Angeles

310.981.2000
mchaney@lcwlegal.com

Melanie is an experienced litigator who represents Liebert Cassidy Whitmore clients including cities, counties, community college districts, school districts, public safety departments and special districts in employment litigation involving issues such as harassment, discrimination, retaliation and wage and hour claims. She also represents public agencies in disciplinary actions and grievances, unfair labor practice charges and other collective bargaining agreement disputes. She has successfully handled matters before administrative bodies such as the California Public Employment Relations Board, Office of Administrative Hearings, Labor Commissioner, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Department of Fair Employment and Housing.

Melanie is experienced in conducting and assisting with workplace investigations and advising clients concerning compliance with state and federal employment laws. She regularly provides legal counsel on a variety of labor relations and employment topics such as the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, the Fair Employment and Housing Act, the Military and Veterans Code and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.  She also provides advice on creating and updating public agency personnel procedures and policies.

A lawyer since 1994, Melanie has been selected for inclusion in Southern California Super Lawyers by her peers on numerous occasions.  Before joining LCW, Melanie focused her practice on handling complex litigation from pleading through trial and appeal.  She also advised entertainment media companies regarding free expression, employment issues and business affairs. 

Representative Matters

Appellate

  • Siegmund v. County of Orange (2011) - Deputy sheriffs alleged that the County underpaid them for overtime worked in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. In an unpublished opinion, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for the County, finding that the deputy sheriffs failed to show that any employee was paid less than the FLSA requires for any pay period.

Litigation

  • Williams v. Chino Valley Independent Fire District (2012) - Obtained dismissal of a Federal Court disability discrimination lawsuit filed by a retired fire captain, who alleged he was discriminated against in his efforts to be re-hired into the position from which he disability retired several years ago.  LCW attorneys had previously obtained dismissal of a prior action filed by this retired fire captain in state court.  When he then tried to re-litigate his claims in the federal court system, the motion was filed to dismiss pursuant to Rule 12 (b)(6) arguing the state court judgment on these claims precluded the fire captain from re-litigating in federal court.  They also argued the federal complaint failed to state a viable claim because the District's limit to a one year requalification period applied to anyone who wanted to be re-hired into a prior previously held position, not just disabled individuals.
  • Taylor v. LAUSD (2010) - Petitioner Darryl Taylor was a teacher with LAUSD who was terminated for cause for unsatisfactory performance and rude conduct towards students.  His writ appealing the Commission on Professional Competence's decision terminating him from his teacher position with the LAUSD was DENIED.

PERB

  • GMEA v. City of Glendora - After receiving City's response, PERB office dismissed UPC alleging, among other things, that City failed to exercise good faith during impasse procedure when it unilaterally imposed furloughs on its members.

Awards

Selected for inclusion in Southern California Super Lawyers 2008-2010

Publications

Education

  • JD, University of Southern California Law School
  • BA, University of California, Los Angeles
To Contact Liebert Cassidy Whitmore:
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