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Melissa Jackson Howell
also known as Melissa Howell, Melissa J. Howell
About Melissa
Biography
Ms. Howell’s practice focuses on counseling clients on routine and complex employment law issues, including compliance and litigation avoidance; negotiating and litigating employment and contract-based disputes in federal and state courts; representing clients through alternative dispute processes; and composing and defending employment-related agreements, including restrictive covenants.
Prior to founding Howell Law Group, PLLC, Ms. Howell worked for regional and national law firms where she negotiated, mediated and litigated Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, USERRA and various other employment and contract-based disputes in forums including federal and state court, as well as before the EEOC, the U.S. DOL, Va DOLI, VEC and VDH.
Ms. Howell is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia. She is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Ms. Howell received her B.S. degree from Christopher Newport University, where she graduated magna cum laude in 1998. She earned her J.D. from the College of William & Mary School of Law in 2002.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Employment and Labor
90%
24 years
Litigation
10%
24 years
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Virginia for 23 years
State: Virginia
Acquired: 2002
No misconduct found
Location
Howell Law Group, PLLC
4669 South Blvd., Ste. 107, Virginia Beach, VA, 23452
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Melissa Jackson Howell's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 9 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | July 17, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Melissa Howell review
Melissa helped navigate a very difficult business relationship. She was responsive and an extremely helpful confidante to work through problems, trepidations, and creating a path forward. I can't say enough good things about my experience with her, and I feel confident knowing Melissa is there if nee...
Posted by James | February 16, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
A Lawyer You Can Trust
Melissa was referred by a friend and couldn't be more pleased with her! There are many wonderful things I would like to say about her however I will bullet the primary points: *Extremely Knowledgeable *Super Responsive *Very Determined *Invested in your best outcome You can rest assured tha...
Posted by Jessica | September 9, 2020 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Great resource!
Melissa is not only highly knowledgeable in everything employment law related, but also a great litigation lawyer who has helped our business through some complicated situations. Any time we've reached out for answers, she's always been very responsive and very thorough in her responses. I highly r...
Posted by Scott | September 5, 2020 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Amazing attorney!
Melissa is an amazing attorney that has helped us through several issues at our optometry practice. She always makes things easy to understand, educates us to all the options, and helps carry out the actions when needed. We couldn't be more happy to have her in our corner and you should have her in y...
Posted by Julie | April 23, 2020 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Would 100% re-hire Melissa
I fully recommend Melissa for support on any employment matter. Melissa is thoughtful, strategic, tough, and responsive. She is an attorney you can trust and keeps your best interests in mind through the process. I would 100% re-hire Melissa and recommend her highly to others.
Melissa Jackson Howell's Lawyer Endorsements
"Melissa is a fantastic attorney and an excellent counselor for the companies she represents. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Fantastic attorney. I highly recommend!"
"Melissa is a William & Mary Law School graduate who takes seriously the school's philosophy of the citizen lawyer. Jefferson believed that aspiring lawyers should be taught in a university setting and that they should be trained not simply to be excellent legal craftsmen, but also good citizens and leaders of their communities, states, and nations. Melissa is a skilled professional as well as a leader in her profession and community. I endorse her."
"I endorse this lawyer. Melissa is the person to whom I refer Employment/Labor cases. She is an expert in her field. I have absolute confidence in her advice. On a personal note, she is one of the nicest persons you would ever want to meet."
Brandon Bybee
Employment and labor lawyer
Robert Wegman
Military law lawyer
Francis Driscoll
Litigation lawyer
Experience
Honors
2021
Super Lawyer - Employment Law, Virginia Super Lawyers
2020
Virginia Legal Elite, Virginia Business Magazine
2020
Best Lawyers in America - Employment Law, U.S. News & World Report
2020
Top Attorneys in Virginia, Richmond Magazine
2020
Super Lawyer - Employment Law, Virginia SuperLawyers
2019
Best Lawyers in America - Employment Law, U.S. News & World Report
2019
Top Attorneys in Virginia, Richmond Magazine
2019
Virginia Legal Elite, Virginia Business Magazine
2019
Top Litigation Lawyer Under 40, American Society of Legal Advocates
2019
Top 100 Litigation Lawyers in VA, American Society of Legal Advocates
2019
Super Lawyer - Employment Law, Virginia SuperLawyers
2018
Best Lawyers in America - Employment Law, U.S. News & World Report
2018
Top Attorneys in Virginia, Richmond Magazine
2018
Top Litigation Lawyer Under 40, American Society of Legal Advocates
2018
Top 100 Litigation Lawyers in VA, American Society of Legal Advocates
2018
Super Lawyer - Employment Law, Virginia SuperLawyers
2018
Virginia Legal Elite, Virginia Business Magazine
2018
Woman Leader in the Law, Martindale-Hubbell®
2017
Top Litigation Lawyer Under 40, American Society of Legal Advocates
2017
Top 100 Litigation Lawyers in VA, American Society of Legal Advocates
2017
Super Lawyer - Employment Law, Virginia SuperLawyers
2017
Top Attorneys in Virginia, Richmond Magazine
2016
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
2016
Super Lawyer - Employment Law, Virginia Super Lawyers
2016
Premier 100 Trial Attorneys in Virginia, National Academy of Jurisprudence
2016
Top Attorneys in Virginia, Richmond Magazine
2015
Top 50 Women Attorneys in Virginia, Virginia Business
2015
Virginia Legal Elite, Virginia Business Magazine
2015
Top Lawyer of Coastal Virginia, Coastal Virginia Magazine
2015
Top Attorneys in Virginia, Richmond Magazine
2015
Women of Outstanding Leadership, International Women's Leadership Association
2015
Super Lawyer - Employment Law, Virginia Super Lawyers
2014
Top Attorneys in Virginia, Richmond Magazine
2014
Super Lawyer - Employment Law, Virginia SuperLawyers
2014
Virginia Legal Elite, Virginia Business Magazine
2013
Top Attorneys in Virginia, Richmond Magazine
2013
Top Forty Under 40, Inside Business
2013
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
Washington D.C. Women Leaders in the Law, American Lawyer Media
2013
Top Litigation Lawyer Under 40, American Society of Legal Advocates
2012
Top Attorneys in Virginia, Richmond Magazine
2012
“Rising Star”, Virginia SuperLawyers
2012
"Famous Former" 2012, Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast
2011
“Rising Star”, Virginia SuperLawyers
2011
Top Attorneys in Virginia, Richmond Magazine
N/A
Washington D.C.'s Women Leaders in the Law, American Lawyer Media
Work Experience
2013 - Present
Managing Partner, Howell Law Group, PLLC
2009 - 2013
Attorney, Jackson Lewis
Associations
2013 - Present
Rotary InternationalMember; Paint Your Heart Out Coordinator/Sponsor; Coats for Kids
2012 - Present
Chesapeake Bar AssociationPresident, VP, Treasurer, Secretary, Executive Board
Virginia State Bar
Member
American Bar Association
Member
Federal Bar Association
Attorney Member
National Association Of Women Business Owners
Board Member
Commercial Real Estate Women
2017 - 2019
Virginia State Bar's Conference of Local and Specialty Bar AssociationsConference Representative
2012 - 2018
Christopher Newport UniversityEducational Foundation Board
2007 - 2018
Christopher Newport University Alumni AssociationAlumni Board of Directors
2007 - 2014
Christopher Newport University, South Hampton Roads Alumni AssociationPresident
Education
2002
College of William and Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1998
Christopher Newport University
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2013
2013 CPA Conference
Employment Law Update
2012
Peninsula SHRM
Managing Employee Leave
2012
NAWBO SEVA
Employment Law Update
2012
BB&T Benefits
Conducting Workplace Investigations
2011
BB&T Benefits
Social Media
2010
What to Expect from the Obama Administration
New Sheriff in Town
2010
Various
Annual Supreme Court Update, Various Employment Law updates
Publications
2012
Inside Biz
Top Issues in Employment Law
Languages
English