Melissa Pallett-Vasquez
Partner
305-350-2393
mpallett@bilzin.com
Je Parle Français
Hablo Español
Area of Focus:
Litigation
GET TO KNOW
Melissa
Melissa handles complex commercial litigation matters in both state and federal court as well as domestic and international arbitrations, and appeals. She represents clients in a number of areas including real estate-related contracts, partnership and joint venture agreements, defense of intentional tort claims, and class action defense work with an emphasis on consumer products and the food and beverage industry.
Melissa's significant ties to Canada and her fluency in French are particularly helpful in assisting her international clients with their legal needs in the South Florida business community.
Melissa's significant ties to Canada and her fluency in French are particularly helpful in assisting her international clients with their legal needs in the South Florida business community.
Q & A
With entrepreneurial programs like eMerge and Endeavor Miami taking hold, how will a thriving South Florida technology sector affect your practice?
The last several years have been a lead-up to Miami's emergence as a technology mecca. We've seen many emerging growth companies, particularly from Latin America, open their headquarters here. Tech companies need lawyers who are well-versed with the local government and business communities, to help them navigate the local landscape and establish the necessary ties to thrive in South Florida.
How do you stay connected to the South Florida Canadian community?
Many clients and Canadian professionals think of me as a go-to knowledge source and relationship builder for Canadians in Florida. I am the co-chair of the Canada Committee of the American Bar Association’s International Law Section, and an active member of the South Florida chapter of the McGill Alumni Association. On a personal note, I am also proud to hold dual citizenship and have the opportunity to return to Canada often.
+ CONTINUE READING MORE ABOUT Melissa
Melissa's PRACTICES
EXPERIENCE
Melissa has had six reported cases:
Sewell v. D’Alessandro & Woodyard, Inc., 725 F. Supp. 2d 1344 WL 2872053 (M.D. Fla. 2010).
Parrot, Inc. v. Nicestuff Distributing International, Inc., 2009 WL 197979 (S.D. Fla. 2009).
Siegel v. Marcus, 980 So. 2d 1272 (Fla. 4th DCA 2008).
Jeffrey O. et al. v. City of Boca Raton, 511 F. Supp. 2d 1339 (S.D. Fla. 2007).
William Leonard Associates, Inc. v. Keshen, 994 So. 2d 1120 (Fla. L. Weekly D1428 2007).
United Auto. Ins. Co. v. Diagnostics of South Florida, Inc., 921 So.2d 23 (Fla. 3d DCA 2006).
EXPERIENCE
Representation of the United Automobile Insurance Company in a class action where we successfully overturned the class certification and clarified the legal standard for standing in the Third District Court of Appeal.
CREDENTIALS
-
University of Florida, J.D., Levin College of Law, cum laude, 2003McGill University, B.A., 2000
-
American Bar AssociationInternational Law Section, Canada Committee, Vice-Chair, 2013 - 2015; Co-Chair, 2015 - PresentAssociation for Women LawyersMemberBoys and Girls Clubs of Miami-DadeGala Committee, 2014 - PresentBrazilian-American Chamber of Commerce of FloridaMemberCuban American Bar AssociationMemberThe Florida BarJudicial Nominating Procedures Committee, 2013 - 2015Greater Miami Chamber of CommerceLeadership Miami, Class of 2010Lawyers for Children AmericaVolunteer Attorney Ad Litem, 2005 - PresentMcGill Alumni AssociationPresident of the South Florida Chapter, 2007 - PresentNational Association of Women JudgesFriends Committee, 2011 - 2012
-
Florida
-
U.S. District Court, Middle District of FloridaU.S. District Court, Southern District of FloridaU.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh CircuitU.S. District Court, District of Colorado
-
Daily Business Review, Most Effective Lawyers, Corporate Securities, 2014
Benchmark Litigation, Under 40 Hot List, 2016 - present
Benchmark Litigation, Future Star, 2016; Local Litigation Star, 2017
South Florida Business Journal, 40 Under 40 Honoree, 2013
Daily Business Review, 40 Under 40 Rising Stars, 2013
Florida Super Lawyers, Florida Rising Stars, 2010 - present
Florida Trend's Legal Elite, 2007 - 2008, 2012 - present
Lawyers for Children America Pro Bono Award, 2012
-
FrenchSpanish
Related Topics
Sending an email will not establish an attorney-client relationship. You should not send us any information that you want treated confidentially. By clicking "I Accept," you acknowledge that we may review and use any information you transmit to us.