Melisa C. Zwilling

Melisa Zwilling is a shareholder with Carr Allison and is a resident in its Birmingham, Alabama, office. Her practice focuses on labor and employment, insurance defense and Medicare Secondary Payer Compliance. Melisa defends employers against claims alleging discrimination, harassment and retaliation in addition to alleged violations of leave laws, civil rights laws, wage and hour laws, and OSHA standards and guidelines, as well as other employment related claims. She practices in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies. In addition to litigating claims, she also assists clients by drafting employee handbooks and non-compete, employment, and severance agreements. She provides daily guidance to employers on issues involving the hiring, discipline, and firing of employees, as well as assisting with workplace investigations. She spends a significant amount of time educating employers on the nuances of myriad employment laws to help them avoid lawsuits. Melisa graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law, cum laude, in 1998 and has published countless articles and spoken at numerous conferences and seminars across the country. She was selected as one of The Best Lawyers in America for 2023 and Top 50 Lawyers in America for 2022 for Alabama. Previously, she was selected as one of Fortune magazine’s Women Leaders in the Law and recognized by Alabama Super Lawyers as one of Birmingham’s Top-Rated Lawyers. Melisa was also invited to Time Magazine’s list of the Most Influential Women in America and Fortune’s List of Premier Lawyers. Raised in the country, Melisa continues to spend much of her free time outdoors. When not at her son’s soccer games or daughter’s horse shows, she can usually be found building furniture, riding horses or fishing.