Kessler Topaz is Proud to Recognize and Honor Women's History Month By Profiling Our Female Partners and Recognizing the Amazing Work They Do in Their Professional and Personal Lives
Melissa L. Troutner is a Partner in the Firm’s Fiduciary, Consumer Protection, and Antitrust Group. A seasoned litigator with nearly two decades of experience litigating in federal courts nationwide, Melissa manages and litigates complex class action litigation, with a focus on consumer fraud, unfair trade practices, breach of contract and implied duties, warranty, and antitrust actions. Melissa has played a leading role in the Firm’s successful litigation of claims against numerous large corporations accused of defrauding consumers and engaging in anticompetitive conduct. Her practice has also focused on new matter development, including the investigation and analysis of consumer fraud, antitrust, and securities matters. Prior to joining the Firm, Melissa clerked for the Honorable Stanley S. Brotman in the District of New Jersey and defended corporations in complex commercial, antitrust, product liability, and patent matters. Melissa graduated Order of the Coif from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa at Syracuse University.
Melissa currently represents consumers and entities in class action litigation against, among others, General Motors Company, FCA US LLC, Toyota Motor Corporation, Bank of Nova Scotia, Netflix, Hulu, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, and the federal government. She has been named a Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyer from 2019-2021.
From representing children through the Office of the Child Advocate to assisting women petitioning under the Violence Against Women Act, Melissa has a long history of working on behalf of the underrepresented. Currently, Melissa’s pro bono work focuses on expanding opportunities for clients through the Pardon Project. She also serves on the Firm’s HR Committee and actively participates in recruiting new talent, organizing the Summer Associate Program, and serving as a mentor to new associates. As a mother of four, Melissa understands the value of multi-tasking, active listening, and incorporating diverse perspectives. In her free time, Melissa enjoys attending youth sports games, hiking, yoga, and travel.