• Share
  • Email
  • Print

Melinda Y. Balli

Associate
+1.214.939.4981
Fax +1.214.939.5849

Ms. Balli has developed her litigation and trial practice on both sides of the docket. She successfully represents both defendants and plaintiffs in several different litigation areas including, truck accidents, construction, product liability, premises liability, commercial litigation and toxic tort cases.  She defends national trucking and transportation companies in severe personal injury cases and has expertise in 18 wheeler, cement truck, and fork lift accidents.  Ms. Balli represents one of the nation's largest fuel stop and travel plazas in premises liability matters.  She represents licensed or registered professionals in construction defects cases.  Ms. Balli consults with property management and trucking industries to help establish loss prevention programs. She also managed an extensive toxic-tort docket through all phases of litigation, including trial, on behalf of manufacturers, contractors, and premises owners in Texas and some cases in California.

In 2011, she obtained a summary judgment based on judicial estoppel on behalf of a national fuel stop and travel plaza in a premises liability case. In 2010, she obtained two summary judgments on behalf of a national engineering firm in construction defects cases filed by homeowners associations.   In 2008, she served as second-chair and tried to verdict a product liability toxic tort case on behalf of a product manufacturer and obtained a defense verdict.  In 2007, she served as first-chair and tried to verdict a multi-vehicle automobile accident case in Cameron County, Texas, on behalf of one of the nation's leading diversified construction, energy, and transportation companies. Plaintiffs sought $4 million in damages, and after a two week trial the jury returned an 11-1 defense verdict on liability. Ms. Balli personally managed a construction defects and breach of contracts case on behalf of a school district in South Texas versus various contractors for mold damage. The case settled for approximately $22.5 million in 2001.

She is fluent in Spanish.

Professional Background

Prior to joining K&L Gates, Ms. Balli was a Participating Associate of a Dallas law firm.

Achievements

Ms. Balli was recognized as a "Texas Rising Star" by Texas Monthly Magazine in 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Professional/Civic Activities

  • State Bar of Texas
  • Dallas Bar Association
  • Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
  • Dallas Hispanic Bar Association
  • Hidalgo County Bar Association
  • Notre Dame Alumni Association of Dallas

Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker, The American Jury: We the People in Action, Lawyers in the Classroom, Law Day 2005, Dallas, TX, May 6, 2005
  • Speaker, A Paralegal’s Role in Assisting Attorneys Using the Texas Rules of Evidence, Legal Assistants of North Texas Association, Dallas, TX, July 8, 2004
  • Speaker, Diversity in Marketing, Godwin Gruber, LLP, Dallas, TX, April 20, 2004
  • Speaker, Texas Construction Defect and Mold Litigation, National Business Institute, CLE, Dallas, TX, February 17, 2004
  • Speaker, The Mold Challenge in Texas, National Business Institute, CLE, Dallas, TX, November 6, 2003
  • Speaker, The State of Mold Litigation in Texas, Dallas Bar Association—Construction Law Section, CLE, Dallas, TX, November 6, 2003
  • Speaker, Critical Issues in Mass Tort Litigation, Texas Lawyer, CLE, Dallas, TX, April 9, 2003
  • Julian Orduna Gonzalez, et al. v. Rodrigo Cruz and Transit Mix Concrete & Materials Company (Cause No. 2005-12-6162-E, 357th Judicial District Court, Cameron County, Texas and Cause No. 13-07-00351-CV, 13th Court of Appeals, Corpus Christi, Texas). Obtained a defense verdict on liability. Judgment affirmed by 13th Court of Appeals.