Melanie A. Houghton advises and represents employers in a broad range of employment law matters, including:

• Harassment
• Discrimination
• Retaliation
• Wrongful discharge
• Employee handbook review
• Wage and hour issues
• Counseling

She regularly appears in state and federal courts and before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Ohio Civil Rights Commission on matters arising under:

• Title VII
• The Americans with Disabilities Act
• The Fair Labor Standards Act
• The Family and Medical Leave Act
• The Ohio Revised Code Section 4112

Melanie has particular expertise with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and employee benefits litigation. Her experience also includes:

• Alleged discrimination
• Preemption
• Statute of limitations issues
• Class action issues
• Issues associated with cash balance and 401(k) plans
• Misrepresentation claims
• Fiduciary duties
• Fiduciary claims
• Prohibited transactions
• Notice issues
• Benefits claims
• The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act

She works with several Fortune 500 companies, as well as a wide range of clients including:

• Health care organizations
• Retailers
• Universities
• Research organizations
• Hotels

Additionally, Melanie taught international marketing and business courses at the University of Cincinnati. Before joining Littler Mendelson, she worked as a consultant for the Department of Engineering at the University of Cincinnati and in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency.

PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS

• Member, Ohio State Bar Association
• Member, Columbus Bar Association
• Member, Louisiana State Bar Association