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Melissa Ann Petrofsky
About Melissa
Biography
Melissa Petrofsky is the founder of The Petrofsky Law Firm in Newport Beach, California. Her focus is on employment litigation and advice and counsel for small businesses. She received her B.S from Culver-Stockton College and her J.D. from Whittier Law School before eventually becoming an associate for Sessions & Kimball LLP in 2008.
Ms. Petrofsky has successfully litigated cases throughout Southern California. Her guiding principle has always been to empower her clients by using her legal skills to advocate for truth and justice.
Additionally, The Petrofsky Law Firm is a trusted legal adviser for small businesses across Southern California. Ms. Petrofsky can draft agreements, handbooks, and forms, check employment practices, ensure state and federal compliance with laws and regulations, guide claim evaluations, and offer advice on unemployment matters, termination and/or discipline of employees, or any other employment practices.
Her clients have ranged from part-time sales clerks to CEOs, from teenagers to great-grandmothers, from warehouses to drug addiction treatment facilities, from music schools to medical practices. She approaches every case with zealous representation -- she understands that every case is a person or business’ life.
Embracing the core values of authority, inspiration, and empowerment, Ms. Petrofsky has been named to the Superlawyers Rising Star list for 2015- 2017, including the distinction of being named to the Top 100 Rising Stars of Southern California and the Top 50 Women Rising Stars of Southern California. She has also been named to the Southern California Superlawyers list for 2018 and 2019.
She is a member of the Orange County Bar Association, The National Association of Professional Women, The Orange County Women’s Lawyers Association, and The California Women’s Lawyer’s Association.
She has served on the executive committee for the Labor & Employment Section, and on the Legislative Resolutions Committees for the Orange County Bar Association (“OCBA”) and the California Women’s Lawyers Association. She is the Chair of the Labor & Employment Section for 2019 and the Chair of the Legislative Resolutions Committee of the OCBA.
Ms. Petrofsky has served as a valued speaker on employment issues at industry events and has taught employment issues to graduate students at Loma Linda University.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 18 years
State: California
Acquired: 2007
No misconduct found
Location
The Petrofsky Law Firm
260 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA, 92660
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Melissa Ann Petrofsky's Reviews
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by ryan | February 3, 2014
BEST EMPLOYEE RIGHTS ATTORNEY IN OC
I needed a labor law attorney and luckily found Melissa through the internet. She was the best! She was very reasonable and fair when it came to fee and helped me get the settlement that I deserved. I would definitely recommend her if you need a lawyer.
Posted by Phong Nguyen | August 18, 2010
Melissa Petrofsky Review
Melissa was very responsive, was very sympathetic towards my needs and knew my case well and all of the intimate details. She came extremely prepared at the mediations armed with a wealth of pertinent data. She explained to me our strategy and asked for my input and coached me during the entire leg...
Melissa Ann Petrofsky's Lawyer Endorsements
"Melissa is an asset to the legal community. Her strong advocacy skills are paired with a passion for civil rights and a sincere commitment to making the world a better place. I have witnessed her achieve incredible results for clients, in situations where failure would have been commonplace. That she maintains a compassionate heart and a sharp sense of humor is part of what makes her such a great advocate and peer. I could not endorse a person more highly."
"Melissa and I attended law school together, and she has also assisted me in a number of legal matters, giving me insight into her abilities and character. She is a zealous advocate for her clients, and extremely knowledgeable in employment law and wrongful termination. I highly endorse her."
"Melissa is extremely knowledgeable on matters relating to labor and employment law. She is my go-to person when I encounter a challenging employment issue. Melissa gets my highest endorsement."
"Melissa is an experienced attorney who is one of the best in helping you navigate through the troubled waters of a wrongful termination or other employment matter. Having worked with Melissa and being familiar with her case load, she has pretty much seen it all, and that is invaluable in selecting someone to advocate on your behalf. Melissa genuinely cares about your outcome and will not let you down."
"Ms. Petrofsky is an exceptional, passionate attorney who has mastered the delicate balance of aggressively advocating for clients while still maintaining a good professional relationship with her adversaries. A pleasure to work with on both sides of the table."
"Melissa is an excellent attorney with a deep understanding and knowledge of employment law. She is a fierce advocate for her clients as well as a compassionate counselor."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer's work."
"I endorse this lawyer for always showing dedication to clients."
"Ms. Petrofsky is a highly knowledgeable attorney as demonstrated by her answers on Avvo."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Melissa is a great lawyer and fights hard for her clients. She is also very knowledgeable. I endorse this lawyer."
"Melissa is knowledgeable, creative, smart and extremely motivated--a solid employment lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
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Experience
Honors
2019
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2017
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2017
Top 50 Women Rising Stars, SuperLawyers
2017
Top 100 Rising Stars, SuperLawyers
2016
Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine
2015
Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine
2009
Certificate for College of Trial Advocacy, Orange County Bar Association
Work Experience
2019 - Present
Professor, Irvine University College Of Law
2015 - Present
Founder, The Petrofsky Law FIrm
2008 - 2015
Attorney, Sessions & Kimball LLP
Associations
2019 - Present
Orange County Bar AssociationChair of the Legislative Resolutions Committee
2019 - Present
Orange County Bar AssociationChair - Labor and Employment Section
2016 - Present
Orange County Bar Association, Labor and Employment CommitteeMember
2016 - Present
California Women LawyersMember
2015 - Present
Orange County Women Lawyers Association
2015 - Present
Orange County Bar Association, Legislative Resolutions Committee
2015 - Present
National Association of Professional WomenMember
2008 - Present
Orange County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
2018 - 2019
Orange County Bar AssociationVIce-Chair of the Legislative Resolutions Committee
2018 - 2019
Orange County Bar AssociationChair-Elect - Labor and Employment Section
2017 - 2018
Orange County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law SectionSecretary/Treasurer
2017 - 2018
Orange County Bar Association, Legislative Resolutions CommitteeWhip
2015 - 2017
California Employment Lawyers Association
2008 - 2010
Orange County Bar Association, Young Lawyers DivisionEducation Committee, 2008
Education
2007
Whittier Coll SOL
law
1998
Culver-Stockton Coll
undergraduate
Speaking Engagements
2017
Orange County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Symposium
Current Employment Law Trends
2016
Orange County Paralegal Association
Calculating Damages in Employment Law
2016
Orange County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
Common Investigation Mistakes: How Plaintiffs Use Them and How Defendants Avoid Them
2015
DISCOVERY: WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED IN YOUR EMPLOYMENT LAW CASE
Discovery Tools For Paralegals
2014
Orange County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
Employment Law Updates
2014
Employment Law for Medical Professionals
Employment Law for Medical Professionals
2013
Law for Medical Professionals
Employment Law
2012
Law for Medical Professionals
Employment Law
2011
Law for Medical Professionals
Employee Rights
2010
Law for Medical Professionals
Employment Law for Medical Professionals
2009
Program Chair-Advanced Depositions and Discovery Methods Seminar
Discovery Methods
2009
Loma Linda University-Law for Medical Professionals Class
Employment Law for Medical Professionals
Publications
2019
Orange County Lawyer Magazine
The Legislative Resolutions Committee: Making Connections While Making New Law
2008
Win at Work Monthly
Employers Must Pay Overtime to Out of State Employees
2008
Win at Work Monthly
Employers Must Provide Leave to Military Spouses
2008
Win at Work Monthly
Jerks at Work
2008
Win at Work Monthly
BOS-NEW LAW REGARDING TEXT MESSAGING
2008
Win at Work Monthly
KEEP YOUR BOSS'S HANDS OUT OF THE TIP JAR
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
I live out-of-state, I want to sue my former employer in California but I don't have a California address
20 May 2015
Q&A
Can I complain if I do not get a break or meal period. I work graveyard at a gas station alone 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.
26 Apr 2015
Q&A
Can my current employer send me a legal notice ?
22 Apr 2015