Overview

MELISSA WRIGHT is a partner in the firm’s Los Angeles office. She prosecutes complex securities fraud and consumer class actions. 

In 2026, the Daily Journal named Melissa a California Lawyer of the Year (CLAY). California’s leading legal publication gave the award for her work In re: Alibaba Group Ltd. Securities Litigation, No. 20-cv-09568 (S.D.N.Y.). She served as lead counsel there with partner Kara Wolke. The case settled for $433.5 million. Investors alleged that Alibaba (NYSE: BABA) violated the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. They claimed the company misrepresented its regulatory compliance and use of monopolistic business practices. The recovery is the second largest securities class action settlement ever attained against a Chinese issuer. It also ranks among the fifty largest U.S. securities class action settlements of all time by Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS).

Melissa was also one of the primary attorneys representing consumers in McNamara v. Wells Fargo & Co., No. 3:21-cv-01245 (S.D. Cal.), which resulted in a $33 million settlement. The litigation resolved allegations that Wells Fargo provided banking and payment-processing services that facilitated deceptive “free trial” and recurring-billing programs, enrolling consumers in unauthorized monthly charges. The case reflects Melissa’s commitment to holding even the largest financial institutions accountable on behalf of ordinary consumers.

Earlier in her career, Melissa played an integral role on the firm’s litigation team in Christine Asia Ltd. v. Jack Yun Ma, et al. (the first Alibaba matter), which resulted in a $250 million settlement, where she led discovery strategy and management for the firm.

She also contributed to other significant recoveries:

• In re Yahoo! Inc. Securities Litigation – $80 million
• In re Sesen Bio, Inc. Securities Litigation – $21 million
• In re Flowers Foods, Inc. Securities Litigation – $21 million
• In re Romeo Power Inc. Securities Litigation – $14.9 million
• In re Tenaris S.A. Securities Litigation – $9.5 million

Melissa litigates across all phases of complex litigation. She is known in particular for her command of discovery. Her work spans cross-border document review and deposition strategy. She also negotiates protocols governing confidentiality and electronically stored information. That work has been central to driving these cases to landmark results.

Melissa also maintains an active pro bono practice. She volunteers with Kids In Need of Defense. There she safeguards the rights and well-being of immigrant and refugee children.

Melissa earned a B.A. in Psychology from Boston University. She received her J.D. from U.C. Davis School of Law, where she served as a board member of the Tax Law Society and externed for the California Board of Equalization’s Tax Appeals Assistance Program. She also earned her LL.M. in Taxation from NYU School of Law.