Melissa H. Nafash

Melissa H. Nafash is a Partner in the New York office of Labaton Keller Sucharow LLP and Co-Chair of the Firm’s ADR Practice.  She represents over 1 million clients in matters regarding data breaches, misuse of personal data, cryptocurrency, consumer finance, and personal banking litigation.  As Co-Chair, Melissa developed the Firm's groundbreaking ADR Practice in response to the use of mandatory arbitration clauses by companies in consumer contracts.  The ADR Practice has achieved over $200 million in recoveries for over 400,000 of the Firm's ADR clients in some of the largest consumer mass arbitration matters in recent history.

Highly regarded in her practice, The National Law Journal's "Elite Trial Lawyers" recognized Melissa as a "Rising Star of the Plaintiffs Bar," Lawdragon recognized her as a "Next Generation Lawyer," The Best Lawyers in America® named her among the “Ones to Watch” in the Class Actions – Plaintiffs category, and Women in Business Law selected her as a finalist for its "Arbitration Rising Star" award.  Melissa has also received the National Trial Lawyers’ "Top 40 Under 40" award, the "New York Metro Area Outstanding Young Lawyer" award, and the "New York Metro Area Top Young Women Attorneys" award.

Prior to joining Labaton Keller Sucharow, Melissa was a Senior Attorney at The Lanier Law Firm, where she was appointed to the plaintiffs’ steering committee in In Re: Davol/C.R. Bard Hernia Mesh Multi-Case Management and assisted in leading the litigation for more than 30,000 plaintiffs.  In addition, she managed several other litigations from onset through settlement.  Previously, Melissa was an Associate at Milberg LLP, where she oversaw three mass tort litigations, prepared two litigations for settlement, and negotiated settlement at multiple settlement conferences with defense counsel.  

Melissa earned her Juris Doctor from Roger Williams University School of Law.  She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut.