
Melissa J. Kathan
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- New York
Education
University at Buffalo, B.A., Summa Cum Laude
University at Buffalo School of Law, J.D.
Melissa is an Associate in the Labor and Employment practice where she represents management on all aspects of labor and employment law.
Her practice includes federal and state employment discrimination, wage and hour issues, workplace policies, discipline and discharge, union avoidance, and unemployment insurance issues. She has assisted clients in cases involving the New York State Department of Labor, the New York State Division of Human Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, and the Public Employment Relations Board.
Melissa also counsels school districts on a range of legal challenges such as special education litigation, student disciplinary matters, labor and employment relations matters, and the development and implementation of school district policies.
Prior to joining Hodgson Russ, Melissa completed internships with the U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit (for the Hon. Richard C. Wesley), SAG-AFTRA and the Erie County District Attorney's Office. She was also a law clerk with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of New York.
Honors
- Student Commencement Speaker at the University at Buffalo School of Law 2019 Commencement
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Former Associate, Buffalo Law Review
- Participant, University at Buffalo School of Law New York City Finance & Law Program
- Kent Faculty Research Scholar
- Former Vice President for the Student Assembly of the State University of New York
- Former Member of the University at Buffalo Council
- Provost Scholar
Press Releases
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, January 17, 2020
Publications
- Hodgson Russ Labor and Employment Alert, April 5, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Labor and Employment Alert, March 15, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, March 9, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, March 8, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, February 25, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, February 22, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, February 17, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, February 17, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, January 25, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, December 18, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, December 3, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert , December 1, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, November 2, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, October 23, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, October 22, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor and Employment Alert , October 21, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, September 23, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, September 14, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, August 31, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Special Education Alert, August 7, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal and Education Alert, August 7, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, August 6, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, July 23, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, July 7, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, June 29, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, June 29, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, June 23, 2020
- Municipalities Hit with Deluge of FOIL Requests After Repeal of Section 50-a of the Civil Rights LawHodgson Russ Municipal Alert, June 22, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, June 18, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, June 16, 2020
- Governor Cuomo’s Latest Executive Order Extends Deadlines to Submit Absentee Ballots for School VoteHodgson Russ Education Alert, June 8, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Special Education Alert, June 6, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, June 5, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, May 20, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, May 13, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, May 5, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, May 2, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, April 28, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, April 16, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, April 14, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, April 14, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, April 10, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education, Municipal & Public Finance Alert, April 8, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, April 7, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, April 7, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Practice Alert, April 6, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Practice Alert, April 3, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment and OSHA Alert, April 2, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Public Finance Alert, April 1, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert , March 31, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, March 30, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, March 30, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 29, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 26, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 25, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Tax and Labor & Employment Alert, March 24, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, March 23, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 22, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 20, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 20, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 19, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 19, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 18, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, March 17, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education Practice Alert, March 17, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, March 16, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, March 16, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 6, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, February 3, 2020
Presentations & Events
- February 24, 2021
- December 9, 2020
- October 28, 2020
- October 14, 2020
- October 7, 2020
- April 7, 2020
- Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Avenue, Buffalo NY 14225, January 17, 2020
- Buffalo Niagara Marriott, Amherst, NY, November 14, 2019
Community & Pro Bono
- Former Student Attorney for the University at Buffalo School of Law Health Justice Clinic at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center