Mellissa A. Schafer
Mellissa A. Schafer
Partner
She/Her
"I defend my clients vigorously in litigation, approaching each case like a puzzle to minimize disruption and secure the best outcome."
Mellissa A. Schafer
Partner
She/Her
"I defend my clients vigorously in litigation, approaching each case like a puzzle to minimize disruption and secure the best outcome."
About Mellissa
Mellissa has managed labor and employment matters and workplace injury lawsuits for over 25 years. She represents a leading human resources company, insurers, pharmacies, hotels, construction firms, national retailers, and other clients in employment disputes. Her experience includes discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage and hour issues. She also advises employers on policies, risk management, litigation strategy, and reducing workers' compensation claims.
In her broad practice, Mellissa also serves clients in the healthcare sector, representing assisted living and residential care facilities, skilled nursing and independent living communities, continuing care retirement communities, and home care, home health, and hospice agencies. She handles serious and willful injury cases, 132(a) claims, and return-to-work practices, providing effective legal support for these complex matters.
Areas of Focus
Recognition
- Marquette University Law School, Marquette Sports Law Journal, Executive Editor; American Jurisprudence Award in Health Care Provider Liability
Credentials
Education
- Marquette University Law School, JD, 1999
- University of Southern California, BS, 1995
Bar Admissions
- California
Court Admissions
- US District Court for the Central District of California
- US District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
- US District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
Thought Leadership
Presentations
- Co-Presenter, "Practical Considerations in Handling Workers' Compensation Claims," Hinshaw's 29th Annual Labor & Employment Seminar, Schaumburg, Illinois, October 9, 2025
- Welcome Remarks, Hinshaw's 29th Annual Labor & Employment Seminar, Schaumburg, Illinois, October 9, 2025
- Welcome Remarks, Hinshaw's 28th Annual Labor & Employment Seminar, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, November 13, 2024
- Co-Presenter, "L&E Regional Law Updates: West Coast," Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Virtual Event, January 10, 2024
- "Navigate Workforce Injury Claims Like a Pro," 2023 California Assisted Living Association (CALA) Fall Conference & Trade Show, Palm Springs, California, November 8, 2023
Blog Posts
- The 12 Days of California Labor and Employment Series – Day 12 "Agricultural Employees Given Another Reason to Use Sick Leave", Dec 19, 2024
- The 12 Days of California Labor and Employment Series – Day 11 "No Vacation Time Prior to Utilizing Paid Family Leave", Dec 18, 2024
- The 12 Days of California Labor and Employment Series – Day 10 "Minimum Wage Updates", Dec 17, 2024
- The 12 Days of California Labor and Employment Series – Day 9 "New Social Audit Requirements for Child Labor", Dec 16, 2024
- The 12 Days of California Labor and Employment Series – Day 8 "Required Whistleblower Notices", Dec 13, 2024
Events
- Hinshaw’s Labor & Employment Regional Law Updates, Jan 10, 2024
- Mellissa Schafer to Present at the California Assisted Living Association (CALA) Fall Conference & Trade Show, Nov 8, 2023
- David Alfini and Mellissa Schafer to Present at the California Assisted Living Association (CALA) 2022 Fall Conference & Trade Show, Nov 8, 2022
- 26th Annual Labor & Employment Seminar, Thursday, October 27, 2022 | 9:00 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
- 25th Annual Labor & Employment Seminar – Virtual for 2020, October 26 - 30, 2020
Hinshaw Newsletters
- Labor & Employment Chronicle - Spring 2019 Edition, May 10, 2019
- Employment Practices Newsletter - December 2015 Edition, Dec 4, 2015
- Employment Practices Newsletter - August 2013 Edition, Aug 1, 2013
- Employment Practices Newsletter - December 2012 Edition, Dec 3, 2012
- Employment Practices Newsletter - August 2012 Edition, Aug 1, 2012
In The News
- Mellissa Schafer Discusses California Paid Sick Leave Requirements in SHRM Magazine, Feb 19, 2024
- Mellissa Schafer Provides Best Practices on How Employers Can Mitigate Potential Liability for Remote Work Injuries, Apr 20, 2022
- In Law360, Mellissa Schafer Provides Expert Analysis on New Laws for California Employers to Be Mindful of in 2021, Feb 8, 2021
- Are You Ready? Influx of New California Employment Laws Go into Effect January 1, Dec 20, 2018
- Mellissa Schafer and Brandon Takahashi Present at 12th Annual California Employment Law Update Conference, Nov 8, 2017
Insights for Employers Alerts
- Frequently Asked Questions Employers Have About the New CDC COVID-19 Guidelines, May 18, 2021
- Federal Court in New York Strikes Down Key Provisions of DOL's FFCRA Final Rule, Aug 7, 2020
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Mar 19, 2020
- Employer FAQs for COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Mar 18, 2020
- Employment Practices Newsletter - July 2015, Jul 1, 2015
Webinars
- Executive Director Legal Pitfalls – The Defense Attorney Perspective, Thursday, January 26, 2023
- Labor & Employment Regional Law Update, Tuesday, July 26, 2022
- LGBTQ+ Employment Law Roundup, June 23, 2021 | 5:00 p.m. Pacific | 7:00 p.m. Central
- Considerations for Keeping Employees Safe as They Return to Work, May 28, 2020
Interests
Did you know...
Mellissa enjoys traveling, especially wine tasting throughout Europe, spending time with friends and family, and cheering on the USC Trojans.
Thought Leadership
Presentations
- Co-Presenter, "Practical Considerations in Handling Workers' Compensation Claims," Hinshaw's 29th Annual Labor & Employment Seminar, Schaumburg, Illinois, October 9, 2025
- Welcome Remarks, Hinshaw's 29th Annual Labor & Employment Seminar, Schaumburg, Illinois, October 9, 2025
- Welcome Remarks, Hinshaw's 28th Annual Labor & Employment Seminar, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, November 13, 2024
- Co-Presenter, "L&E Regional Law Updates: West Coast," Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Virtual Event, January 10, 2024
- "Navigate Workforce Injury Claims Like a Pro," 2023 California Assisted Living Association (CALA) Fall Conference & Trade Show, Palm Springs, California, November 8, 2023
Blog Posts
- The 12 Days of California Labor and Employment Series – Day 12 "Agricultural Employees Given Another Reason to Use Sick Leave", Dec 19, 2024
- The 12 Days of California Labor and Employment Series – Day 11 "No Vacation Time Prior to Utilizing Paid Family Leave", Dec 18, 2024
- The 12 Days of California Labor and Employment Series – Day 10 "Minimum Wage Updates", Dec 17, 2024
- The 12 Days of California Labor and Employment Series – Day 9 "New Social Audit Requirements for Child Labor", Dec 16, 2024
- The 12 Days of California Labor and Employment Series – Day 8 "Required Whistleblower Notices", Dec 13, 2024
Events
- Hinshaw’s Labor & Employment Regional Law Updates, Jan 10, 2024
- Mellissa Schafer to Present at the California Assisted Living Association (CALA) Fall Conference & Trade Show, Nov 8, 2023
- David Alfini and Mellissa Schafer to Present at the California Assisted Living Association (CALA) 2022 Fall Conference & Trade Show, Nov 8, 2022
- 26th Annual Labor & Employment Seminar, Thursday, October 27, 2022 | 9:00 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
- 25th Annual Labor & Employment Seminar – Virtual for 2020, October 26 - 30, 2020
Hinshaw Newsletters
- Labor & Employment Chronicle - Spring 2019 Edition, May 10, 2019
- Employment Practices Newsletter - December 2015 Edition, Dec 4, 2015
- Employment Practices Newsletter - August 2013 Edition, Aug 1, 2013
- Employment Practices Newsletter - December 2012 Edition, Dec 3, 2012
- Employment Practices Newsletter - August 2012 Edition, Aug 1, 2012
In The News
- Mellissa Schafer Discusses California Paid Sick Leave Requirements in SHRM Magazine, Feb 19, 2024
- Mellissa Schafer Provides Best Practices on How Employers Can Mitigate Potential Liability for Remote Work Injuries, Apr 20, 2022
- In Law360, Mellissa Schafer Provides Expert Analysis on New Laws for California Employers to Be Mindful of in 2021, Feb 8, 2021
- Are You Ready? Influx of New California Employment Laws Go into Effect January 1, Dec 20, 2018
- Mellissa Schafer and Brandon Takahashi Present at 12th Annual California Employment Law Update Conference, Nov 8, 2017
Insights for Employers Alerts
- Frequently Asked Questions Employers Have About the New CDC COVID-19 Guidelines, May 18, 2021
- Federal Court in New York Strikes Down Key Provisions of DOL's FFCRA Final Rule, Aug 7, 2020
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Mar 19, 2020
- Employer FAQs for COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Mar 18, 2020
- Employment Practices Newsletter - July 2015, Jul 1, 2015
Webinars
- Executive Director Legal Pitfalls – The Defense Attorney Perspective, Thursday, January 26, 2023
- Labor & Employment Regional Law Update, Tuesday, July 26, 2022
- LGBTQ+ Employment Law Roundup, June 23, 2021 | 5:00 p.m. Pacific | 7:00 p.m. Central
- Considerations for Keeping Employees Safe as They Return to Work, May 28, 2020
Mellissa's Insights
Employment Law Observer
Dec 19, 2024
Employment Law Observer
Dec 18, 2024
Employment Law Observer
Dec 17, 2024
The 12 Days of California Labor and Employment Series – Day 10 "Minimum Wage Updates"
Employment Law Observer
Dec 19, 2024
Employment Law Observer
Dec 18, 2024
Employment Law Observer
Dec 17, 2024
The 12 Days of California Labor and Employment Series – Day 10 "Minimum Wage Updates"
Employment Law Observer
Dec 16, 2024
Employment Law Observer
Dec 13, 2024
The 12 Days of California Labor and Employment Series – Day 8 "Required Whistleblower Notices"
Employment Law Observer
Dec 12, 2024
Employment Law Observer
Dec 11, 2024
The 12 Days of California Labor and Employment Series – Day 6 "It's All OSHA"
Employment Law Observer
Dec 10, 2024
The 12 Days of California Labor and Employment Series – Day 5 "Protections for Freelance Workers"
Employment Law Observer
Dec 9, 2024
Employment Law Observer
Dec 6, 2024
Employment Law Observer
Dec 5, 2024
Employment Law Observer
Dec 4, 2024
