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Melissa J. Tea

Melissa Tea is the lead practice area leader for the firm's global Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice area. She maintains an active litigation and counseling practice representing public and private companies primarily in the manufacturing and technology industries helping clients identify and manage risks that might impact their operations and business objectives. Melissa serves as a strategic adviser to her clients, developing creative solutions to complex legal issues that align with business priorities and efficiently resolving disputes through negotiated settlements, mediations, arbitrations, or trials. Melissa also has extensive experience serving as coordinating counsel for clients with regional and nationwide recurring litigation, with particular expertise in mass tort and product liability.

Melissa's experience in enterprise risk management extends to the industries of commercial and consumer products, technology hardware and software, metals manufacturing and fabrications, specialty chemicals, energy, and industrial and commercial coatings. She advises her clients on all facets of their external risk management and litigation needs, including contract disputes, supply chain issues, force majeure claims, ESG matters, business torts, insurance coverage, product liability, class action defense, and construction disputes, among other matters. In her role as coordinating counsel, Melissa has developed and implemented innovative, company-tailored defense strategies and cost-effective processes and approaches to manage the resolution of recurring claims.

  • Recognized by Chambers USA for Litigation: General Commercial, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh & Surrounds, 2022-2023
  • Recognized by The Legal 500 United States as a Recommended Lawyer for General Commercial Disputes, 2023
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants in Pittsburgh, 2023-2024
  • Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh
    • Board of Directors, 2017-present
    • Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, 2021-present
    • Executive Committee member, 2019-present
    • Governance Committee Chair, 2019-2021
  • Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Government Relations & Advocacy Committee, 2016-present
  • United Way of Allegheny County
    • Emerging Leaders Tocqueville Committee, 2018-2021
    • Women’s Leadership Council, 2012-present
  • The Executive Women of Pittsburgh, Founding Member, 2017-2020
  • Pittsburgh CLO, Board of Directors, 2014-2017
  • Most Powerful and Influential Women Award, National Diversity Council, 2018
  • Firm Service
    • Practice Area Leader, Litigation, 2019-present
    • Advisory Council, 2019-present
    • Chair, Associate Development Committee, 2017-2019
    • Women in the Profession Committee, 2013-2022
    • Chair, K&L Gates Public Interest Fellowship Program, 2011-2016
  • “Managing Risks from the Boardroom,” Women on Boards 2020, October 2018
  • “Sexual Harrassment in the Workplace,” Healthcare Council of Western Pennsylvania, September 2018
  • “Navigating a Return to Work: Surviving and Thriving Following Maternity (and Other) Leave,” Allegheny County Bar Association’s Women in the Law Division, October 2017
  • “Emerging Issues in Health Care Litigation,” Medicare Sequestration Webcast, 18November 2015
  • "Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Exploring Traits of Successful Junior Lawyers," Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, April 2015
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