Melissa Calhoon Jones

Co-chair of the Firm's Employment and Labor Law group, Melissa understands both the multidimensional legal considerations and nuanced interpersonal dynamics that define the employer-employee relationship -- and are at the heart of contentious employment-related disputes. Her combination of deep subject matter knowledge, nearly three decades of experience, and natural empathy have made Melissa an invaluable asset for small and large Maryland businesses, helping them navigate day-to-day employment issues and develop strategies to prevent and resolve potentially costly and disruptive claims.

Exceptionally well-versed in every aspect of employment law, Melissa shares her insights and guidance in an accessible, straightforward manner that makes her counsel informative and actionable in equal measure. Her many clients span a wide range of industries, including fine arts, technology and life science companies, business services, religious and charitable organizations, non-profits, higher education, long-term care facilities, and medical practices. No matter the nature of their business or the size of their workforce, Melissa's clients know her efforts help them become better employers. 

Melissa advises employers on the full spectrum of federal and state compliance obligations, including those relating to discrimination, harassment, disabilities accommodation, family and medical leave, wage payments, prevailing wages, performance management, hiring, plant closings, layoffs and other terminations of employment, policy compliance, and non-competition agreements.

Clients with unionized workforces benefit from Melissa's extensive experience counseling employers on labor relations, from grievances, collective bargaining, and impact-and-effects bargaining, to the implementation of collective bargaining agreements. Melissa also advises businesses on work authorization compliance issues and assists them with the process of sponsoring eligible foreign nationals with employment-based, non-immigrant status and permanent residence status.

Melissa regularly prepares and reviews documents that govern employment relationships, including offer letters and employment contracts, employment handbooks and policies, non-competition agreements and other restrictive covenants, disciplinary notices, termination letters, and severance agreements. She has experience conducting internal workplace investigations and has investigated complaints filed with federal, state, and local administrative agencies on employment issues.

When employment claims or disputes arise, Melissa provides her clients with thoughtful guidance designed to reach early and efficient resolutions that spare her clients the costs, disruptions, and financial and reputational risks of protracted litigation. She has advocated for clients before a host of federal, state, and local administrative bodies and offers counsel on both governmental investigations and enforcement actions. While Melissa’s practice does not include litigation, she supports Tydings’ employment litigation attorneys with subject matter expertise.

Melissa is a frequent speaker and author of numerous articles about employment law matters. She is also an active member of MERITAS, Law Firms Worldwide, and its Labor & Employment Section. She served on the organization's Board of Directors and Executive Committee, as its vice chair of Finance, and was a member of its Leadership Institute Class of 2007.