Melissa Rapp litigates complex civil cases at the state and federal levels. Her experience in high- stakes matters includes employment claims, copyright infringement, business disputes, and internal investigations. Melissa protects clients operating in California’s most competitive and regulated industries, from talent agencies and health care to technology and consumer products, and others.
Melissa appears in federal and state courts across California, including the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Her broad-based litigation experience spans entertainment business litigation, breach of contract, Proposition 65 defense, trade secret protection, fraud, white collar defense, and shareholder derivative actions.
From the start of a case, Melissa is meticulous in fact discovery and her motion practice, trying to position clients for early and favorable settlements where appropriate. Should settlement efforts fail, she litigates efficiently and fairly. Melissa guides clients through litigation to make the process feel more predictable and productive.
Melissa received her J.D. from UCLA School of Law, where she was active with the Ziffren Institute for Media, Entertainment, Technology & Sports Law. She earned her undergraduate degree from Stanford University.
Prior to law school, Melissa worked in music and technology in various capacities. She serves on the board of directors for her local Stanford alumni group and is active with UCLA Law Women LEAD and Santa Barbara Women Lawyers.
Representative Matters
- Talent Agency Business Litigation
Advise and handle litigation and arbitration matters on behalf of one of the world’s largest talent agencies. - Health Care Litigation
Represent a privately held medical group, valued in the billions, in various high-stakes health care litigation matters. - Proposition 65 Defense
Manage a team that manages a Fortune 10 global online retailer’s Proposition 65 portfolio, defending and resolving hundreds of matters. - White Collar Defense Team
Supported white-collar trial team in successful defense of entertainment studio executive in high-profile, FIFA bribery case. - Cybersecurity Client Settles Trade Secret Dispute
Helped obtain highly favorable settlement for cybersecurity company in case involving breach of a non-circumvention agreement and misappropriation of trade secrets. - Discovery Find Leads to End of Suit
Discovered key document in third-party discovery process, leading to dismissal of claims against client, with an additional substantial six-figure sum paid by plaintiff to avoid malicious prosecution suit. - Fraud Dispute Settled for Seller
Helped secure favorable settlement for client, avoiding costly arbitration proceedings against a private equity firm, after buyer alleged fraud during acquisition of client’s company. - Shareholder Derivative Action Win
Served on trial team that drafted successful motion for partial summary judgment in federal shareholder derivative suit for breach of fiduciary duty and corporate waste involving a $250 million company. At trial, the team secured $21 million in damages.
Practice Areas
- Commercial litigation
- Entertainment litigation
- Health care litigation
- Employment litigation
- Intellectual property litigation
- Pre-litigation counseling
Education
- University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law, J.D.
- University of California, Santa Barbara, M.A.
- Stanford University, B.A.
Experience
- State Bar of California, Member
- Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
- UCLA School of Law, Alumni Mentor
- Santa Barbara Women Lawyers
- UCLA Law Women LEAD
- Stanford Alumni Group, Board of Directors
California Industries. Strategic Counsel.
DAE represents global leaders, innovators and market disruptors with workforces and operations in California.
From online retailers and multimedia agencies to financial and health care institutions, we operate in the industries that shape California commerce.