Melissa Pallett-Vasquez
Partner
305-350-2393
mpallett@bilzin.com
Je Parle Français
Hablo Español
Area of Focus:
Litigation
"One of Melissa’s strengths is her ability to effectively and efficiently communicate with the client so that they are aware of their legal exposure and in a manner they can understand."
- Chambers USA
- Chambers USA
GET TO KNOW
Melissa
Melissa is a seasoned trial lawyer who handles complex business disputes in both federal and state courts, as well as arbitration. She focuses her practice in federal class action defense and multi-jurisdictional cases. Melissa leads client teams defending product labeling claims, product defect cases, misrepresentation claims, false advertising claims and antitrust claims, in addition to defending and pursuing complex construction defects cases. Melissa's long-standing clients appreciate her ability to interpret the legal landscape and craft astute defense strategies that protect their businesses today, tomorrow and in the future.
Q & A
What trends in FDA product labeling and regulations should food and beverage industry leaders be aware of?
The food and beverage industry is under immense pressure to keep up with constantly evolving labeling requirements, product definitions, and compliance regulations, all in the name of consumer protection. The FDA works to clarify vague classifications that may cause confusion for consumers and legal liability for food and beverage companies, but formal guidance is often reactive and not proactive, and as a result companies often must do their own good faith analysis of terms and marketing. Industry leaders can stay up-to-date with news and analysis, and suggestions on navigating the impending FDA regulations on foodcourtlaw.com.
What distinguishes you from other litigation attorneys?
Clients rely on me not just to resolve the immediate business dispute the may face but most importantly, they trust me to do so in the context of their overall business objectives. I take pride in understanding my clients’ businesses inside and out. With that understanding, I work not only to “fix" existing challenges, but also to identify problems before they are formally presented and offer common sense solutions.
How does your extensive litigation background benefit your class action defense clients?
I’m a trial lawyer and there is nothing I like more than taking a case to trial. But my varied litigation experience provides me with realistic perspectives to guide clients through the complicated “go or no-go” decision about pursuing litigation through trial on the one hand, or reaching an amicable resolution on the other. I’m not just defending or prosecuting the case; rather, I am looking around the corner to anticipate the case’s impact on the company’s future. Success is defined differently for every client and for each case; so is the litigation strategy. Because the reality is, as much as I personally love trial, it’s not always the best strategy for a particular client.
My PRACTICES
EXPERIENCE
Represented beverage manufacturer and distributor, All Market Inc.,in defense of a national federal class action consumer fraud, and deceptive advertising case regarding its Vita Coco coconut water. The plaintiffs alleged that the Vita Coco product packaging and marketing materials contained mislead...
Representation of a major homebuilder in a nationwide putative class action in which plaintiffs alleged negligence, strict liability, breach of express and implied warranty, and violation of FDUPTA, and sought injunctive relief and medical monitoring, asserting that spray polyurethane foam used as a...
Representation of themajor insurance companyin a class action where we successfully overturned the class certification and clarified the legal standard for standing in the Third District Court of Appeal.
Representation of major homebuilder Lennar Corporation in an action against a former business partner, who had engaged in a fraud and defamation scheme in order to extort money from our client. Following a jury trial, Lennar was awarded $1.02 billion in damages. The decision was upheld on appeal.
CREDENTIALS
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University of Florida, J.D., Levin College of Law, cum laude, 2003McGill University, B.A., 2000
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American Bar AssociationInternational Law Section, Liaison Officer, 2020-Present
International Law Section, Annual Conference Co-Chair, 2021
International Law Section, Food, Agriculture & Cannabis Committee, Vice-Chair, 2020-2021
International Law Section, Annual Conference Co-Chair, 2018
International Law Section, Division Chair, 2018-2020
International Law Section, Canada Committee, Committee Co-Chair, 2016 - 2018; Senior Advisor 2019-present
International Law Section, Food and Agricultural Task Force, Vice-Chair, 2019-2020
Association for Women LawyersMemberBoys and Girls Clubs of Miami-DadeBoard of Directors, 2017
Gala 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 AmericaBoard of Directors, 2018 - Present
Volunteer Attorney Ad Litem, 2005 - PresentMcGill Alumni AssociationPresident of the South Florida Chapter, 2007 - PresentNational Association of Women JudgesFriends Committee, 2011 - 2012 -
Florida
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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
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Chambers USA, Litigation: General Commercial, 2017- present
Daily Business Review, Innovators Finalist, 2021
National Law Journal, Crisis Leadership Trailblazer, 2020
Daily Business Review, Florida Trailblazers, 2019
The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2019 - presentBenchmark Litigation, 40 & Under Hot List, 2016 - present
Benchmark Litigation, Future Star, 2016; Local Litigation Star, 2017- present
Florida Super Lawyers, 2020Florida Super Lawyers, Florida Rising Stars, 2010 -2019
Florida Trend's Legal Elite, 2007 - 2008, 2012 - present
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FrenchSpanish
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