Employment Contracts

Since 2005, Chris Houk has been a dedicated advocate for the rights of Arizona’s workers, managers, and employers. From representing clients in small-town discrimination cases to arguing before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Chris has tirelessly worked to ensure that everyone is treated with the fairness, dignity, and respect they deserve. Chris’s extensive experience includes serving in the Civil Rights Division of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. These roles have given him a deep understanding of the laws and regulations that govern employment in Arizona. In addition to his legal practice, Chris is an adjunct professor at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. He also serves as an officer of the National Employment Lawyers Association, Co-Chair of the American Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Section, and is a Fellow with the American Bar Foundation. Outside of work, Chris is actively involved in the Arizona and Metro Phoenix communities, where he and his wife are raising their three children.

Mr. Melehy began his legal career in 1987 as a judicial law clerk to Maryland Court of Appeals Judge William H. Adkins II, followed by eight years as an Assistant Attorney General with the Maryland Attorney General’s Office. During that time, he developed significant courtroom experience and became a seasoned trial lawyer. Since 1997, Mr. Melehy has focused on advocating for employees in disputes involving wage violations, discrimination, and other workplace injustices, representing clients across both the private sector and federal government. He has secured numerous favorable verdicts, judgments, and settlements, many of which have resulted in lasting changes to employment law. Mr. Melehy holds an AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell — the highest available — reflecting his legal ability and ethical standards. He is admitted to practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia and has served in leadership roles with several employment rights and civil justice organizations, including MWELA and the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs. If you're facing an issue with your employer and need strong legal representation, contact Melehy & Associates LLC today at 301-587-6364 or complete our contact form to schedule your free consultation.

Ross I. Molho is a knowledgeable attorney who concentrates his practice in the areas of employment and labor law for employers and employees, business law, commercial litigation, and representation for non-profits. Understanding the potential cost of legal services, Attorney Molho works diligently to solve his client's legal matters in an efficient manner. In 2021, Ross established Molho and Associates, LLC. Located in Wheaton, IL, Attorney Molho and his team represent individuals, families, and businesses throughout the Greater Chicago area. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced Wheaton labor law attorney, call 630-517-2622.

Christopher L. Strohbehn is a shareholder at Mallery s.c. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With over 20 years of legal experience, he remains dedicated to helping clients navigate challenging situations. His calming presence provides much-needed reassurance during times of uncertainty. Christopher has built a diverse litigation, practice, handling personal injury, insurance coverage disputes, civil litigation, and commercial property tax appeals. He enjoys strategizing on complex matters and effectively manages cases that intersect multiple practice areas. His vision, attention to detail, and approachable nature contribute to his success in achieving favorable outcomes for his clients. His practice covers the entire state of Wisconsin, representing a wide range of clients, including individuals, small businesses, and large corporations. Regardless of the client, he brings a sense of resolve and practicality to each case, working diligently to find the best solutions. Christopher has significant experience litigating in appellate courts across Wisconsin, including serving as lead counsel in cases before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. He has also been actively involved in the legal community, serving as President of the Milwaukee Young Lawyer's Association and as a board member of the Wisconsin Association for Justice. In addition to his professional endeavors, Christopher has remained engaged in his community, including serving as an alternate on the City of Milwaukee's Administrative Review and Appeals Board and as President of a downtown Condominium Association. He currently enjoys spending his free time with family, grilling, and attending his daughter's basketball games. Originally from Rock Island, Illinois, he is an enthusiastic supporter of the Cubs, Bears, and his alma mater, the University of Illinois. To schedule a consultation, please visit the website or call 414-271-2424.

Deena R. Merlen is a Partner at the firm. She serves clients at both our New York and Stamford offices and heads the Connecticut practice. Her practice areas include intellectual property, employment and labor law, media and entertainment, general business law, commercial transactions and dispute resolution. In her employment practice, Ms. Merlen is a trusted “go to” problem solver and counsel to individuals, established name brand companies and startups alike. She has extensive experience representing clients in matters including general counseling, discrimination actions, mediations and dispute resolution, investigations by federal or state agencies, as well as wage and hour claims and other labor law matters. She also advises on and regularly negotiates employment and separation agreements, independent contractor arrangements and other services-related arrangements. Ms. Merlen also counsels clients on employment and business matters in response to a crisis or other unexpected business impact, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting business closures, including continuity plans, employee furloughs, reductions in force and other critical measures. In her intellectual property practice, Ms. Merlen helps her clients with the development, acquisition and protection of their valuable brands and other vital intellectual property assets. She manages and grows trademark portfolios in the U.S. and internationally; negotiates licensing, assignment, distribution and branding agreements; prosecutes trademark and copyright registrations; enforces intellectual property rights; and provides strategic counsel to safeguard brand platforms and expand the value of her clients’ intellectual property assets. Ms. Merlen’s media practice encompasses the development and protection of creative works in the fields of music, film, television, theatre, publishing, literary arts, performing arts, design and technology. She ran her own business in the entertainment industry for over a decade and brings that business experience and acumen to her legal practice. In addition, Ms. Merlen provides general business counsel and represents clients in company and transactional matters such as partnerships, joint ventures, licensing arrangements, the purchase or sale of businesses, and a wide range of other corporate matters, including company formation, capitalization and governance, compliance and contracts. Representative clients include technology companies, schools and other academic institutions, personal care and beauty companies, fashion and design companies, media, arts and entertainment companies, wholesalers, retailers and more. Prior to her work with RPJ, Ms. Merlen served as Law Clerk to The Honorable Roger J. Miner of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, after which she joined Debevoise & Plimpton, where she practiced for over five years in the areas of corporate law and intellectual property. Ms. Merlen is admitted to practice in Connecticut and New York.

Deena R. Merlen is a Partner at the firm. She serves clients at both our New York and Stamford offices and heads the Connecticut practice. Her practice areas include intellectual property, employment and labor law, media and entertainment, general business law, commercial transactions and dispute resolution. In her employment practice, Ms. Merlen is a trusted “go to” problem solver and counsel to individuals, established name brand companies and startups alike. She has extensive experience representing clients in matters including general counseling, discrimination actions, mediations and dispute resolution, investigations by federal or state agencies, as well as wage and hour claims and other labor law matters. She also advises on and regularly negotiates employment and separation agreements, independent contractor arrangements and other services-related arrangements. Ms. Merlen also counsels clients on employment and business matters in response to a crisis or other unexpected business impact, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting business closures, including continuity plans, employee furloughs, reductions in force and other critical measures. In her intellectual property practice, Ms. Merlen helps her clients with the development, acquisition and protection of their valuable brands and other vital intellectual property assets. She manages and grows trademark portfolios in the U.S. and internationally; negotiates licensing, assignment, distribution and branding agreements; prosecutes trademark and copyright registrations; enforces intellectual property rights; and provides strategic counsel to safeguard brand platforms and expand the value of her clients’ intellectual property assets. Ms. Merlen’s media practice encompasses the development and protection of creative works in the fields of music, film, television, theatre, publishing, literary arts, performing arts, design and technology. She ran her own business in the entertainment industry for over a decade and brings that business experience and acumen to her legal practice. In addition, Ms. Merlen provides general business counsel and represents clients in company and transactional matters such as partnerships, joint ventures, licensing arrangements, the purchase or sale of businesses, and a wide range of other corporate matters, including company formation, capitalization and governance, compliance and contracts. Representative clients include technology companies, schools and other academic institutions, personal care and beauty companies, fashion and design companies, media, arts and entertainment companies, wholesalers, retailers and more. Prior to her work with RPJ, Ms. Merlen served as Law Clerk to The Honorable Roger J. Miner of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, after which she joined Debevoise & Plimpton, where she practiced for over five years in the areas of corporate law and intellectual property. Ms. Merlen is admitted to practice in Connecticut and New York.

Mr. Lawler has over thirty (30) years of experience in representing business clients in formation, organization, corporate governance, corporate finance, reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions, contracts and transactions. Mr. Lawler’s expertise in corporate law has helped him build a successful practice with clients throughout the United States and as well as clients in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Canada, United Kingdom, Greece, Brussels, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Israel, Bermuda, Belize, Nicaragua and Panama. Mr. Lawler’s Corporate/Business Law practice includes the following types of legal work: Evaluating and reviewing domestic and international investment opportunities that are consistent with the client’s stated business objectives and needs; Mergers & Acquisitions, including corporate structuring, restructuring and reorganization; Preparing and negotiating numerous types of contracts including commercial contracts, joint ventures, partnership agreements, purchase and sale agreements, employment contracts and service agreements. Advising Boards of Directors and Board Committees on various corporate governance issues including vetting and selection of executive officers, assessing shareholder rights and responding to business combination proposals; and Organizational matters, including formation, operating agreements, bylaws and shareholder agreements. Estate Planning Mr. Lawler discovered that many business clients also need legal assistance in preparing their estates to provide a plan that will protect their assets, their family and their legacy. Mr. Lawler, in response to such needs, has developed an estate planning practice for both families and business owners. Mr. Lawler’s Estate Planning practice includes the design and preparation of the following: Revocable Living Trusts; Irrevocable Trusts; Living Wills; Durable Powers of Attorney; Health Care Power of Attorney; and Trust Administration; Mr. Lawler is a member of a number of professional associations, including the American Bar Association, and is licensed to practice law in the States of Arizona and California. Born in California, Mr. Lawler received his B.S. Business Management, from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, in 1984, and received his Juris Doctorate degree from the USC Gould School of Law in Los Angeles, California in 1988.

Since his admission to the Louisiana Bar in 1988, J. Douglas Sunseri has practiced in diverse areas of the law. From 1990-1994, J. Douglas Sunseri worked under Attorney J. William Becknell, the legal counsel for Mr. John Mecom, Jr. and his affiliated companies. Mr. Mecom was the initial owner of the New Orleans Saints and had numerous holdings in oil & gas, hotels, real estate, professional sports and related businesses. As a result, Mr. Sunseri was fully educated in broad areas of law and business. Mr. Sunseri has participated in litigation involving employees, insureds, employers, insurers, and self-insured funds for property/casualty, employers' liability, employment discrimination, sexual harassment and worker's compensation claims. Other areas of practice consist of personal injury, insurance coverage, flood claims, hazard claims, wind-driven rain claims, business interruption, errors and omissions liability for insurance agents/insurance companies. Mr. Sunseri's practice also encompasses commercial litigation, mergers and acquisitions, incorporations, corporate agreements, employment contracts, licensing for intellectual property, leases, real estate, estate planning, wills, trusts and successions. Since Hurricane Katrina, Mr. Sunseri has specialized in a broad range of insurance issues including disaster litigation, insurance coverage, and business interruption. Also, Mr. Sunseri has concentrated in construction law, federal / state contracts, government contracting, licensing and information technology (IT). Mr. Sunseri's litigation experience includes jury trials in state and federal court. Mr. Sunseri also practices before worker's compensation judges with the Louisiana Department of Labor, administrative law judges and Special Masters assigned by the National Football League. He has directed litigation to the United States Supreme Court in connection with the National Football League and the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA). Mr. Sunseri has conducted numerous seminars on topics involving Hurricane Katrina, government contracting, land contracting, construction, employment issues, worker's compensation and estate planning. Also, Mr. Sunseri serves as legal counsel for the Gulf Coast Government Contractors Association (GCGCA), a trade association for securing government contracts in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region. Recently, Mr. Sunseri was named as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Louisiana by Louisiana Attorney James "Buddy" Caldwell.

During Raymond’s practice, which spans over a decade, he has gained extensive experience in all facets of complex litigation. His expertise includes litigation of employment, general liability, class action, construction, products, and general business litigation matters – from start through trial, and appeal. Further, he has prepared volumes of employment handbooks, construction and real estate disclosures and agreements, and general business contracts aimed to fully protect his clients and, when applicable, transfer risk to the appropriate parties. This allows Raymond to offer a unique perspective to his clients and create strategies for any scenario.

Elizabeth Afriyie is a California-licensed attorney, a litigator, and an MBA. With her extensive experience and expertise, Elizabeth confidently represents California businesses in a wide range of business-related disputes, including employment disputes under California and federal labor regulations. She has litigated contract disputes and employment disputes under California labor regulations, including claims of sexual harassment, disability discrimination, pregnancy discrimination, and wage and hour disputes. Elizabeth has extensive experience in simplifying and advising California employers on compliance with ever-complex state and federal regulations. She is the author of the regulatory compliance book CODE-COMPLIANT: California Employers Guide to Understanding and Complying With California’s Employment Regulations, a testament to her ability to make complex regulations understandable and manageable. Elizabeth has drafted various business contracts for California businesses, from simple employment and arbitration agreements to complex commercial contracts such as triple net leases, management agreements amongst physicians, medical corporations, and their management entities, and SEC-compliant private placement memorandum (PPM) for private investors. Her vision is to take a research-led and holistic approach to law practice. While she delights in robustly defending the interests of California businesses in litigation, she also seeks to provide competent advice on compliance matters to businesses to help mitigate their risks of lawsuits and liabilities.