Michelle K.Mellinger
Senior Counsel
Labor & Employment
mmellinger@seyfarth.com
Michelle helps employers navigate people analytics, defend workplace litigation, and conduct thorough, defensible investigations when sensitive employee issues arise.
More About Michelle
As a member of Seyfarth’s People Analytics practice group, Michelle works with employers to design proactive, strategic, and practical approaches to workplace compliance, including adverse impact analyses, data analytics, and pay equity reviews. Clients routinely turn to Michelle for guidance related to the evolving landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She conducts privileged audits of DEI programs to assess clients’ legal and reputational risk, and to ensure that DEI initiatives align with federal nondiscrimination laws and promote an inclusive workplace.
Michelle assists federal contractors in complying with applicable equal opportunity laws, including the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. She has extensive experience representing contractors in connection with compliance evaluations conducted by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), from pre-compliance review and analysis through successful closure. Michelle also has significant experience engaging in conciliation discussions with both OFCCP and the United States Solicitor’s Office.
Michelle’s litigation practice focuses on individual and complex employment litigation under various statutes, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Pay Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other claims in front of the EEOC and state and federal courts. She leverages her analytics-driven skills and insights to inform litigation strategy and successfully defend clients in single-plaintiff and large class action matters.
Michelle conducts extensive internal and external workplace investigations involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and code of conduct violations, and she works with employers to implement appropriate remedial action. Michelle is committed to delivering practical, forward-thinking solutions that help clients navigate complex legal requirements, mitigate risk, and achieve their objectives.
Michelle has a deep commitment to pro bono work and has been named a Seyfarth Pro Bono All Star. She has successfully handled multiple Settlement Assistance Program matters for the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, providing critical legal support to low-income individuals who have filed federal civil rights lawsuits without the benefit of counsel. Michelle also participates in the Chicago Bar Association’s Lawyers in the Classroom community outreach program, teaching Chicago Public School students about the US Constitution.
Prior to joining Seyfarth, Michelle served as an extern in the Chambers of Judge Milton Shadur in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and at the City of Chicago Sexual Harassment Office.
Michelle assists federal contractors in complying with applicable equal opportunity laws, including the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. She has extensive experience representing contractors in connection with compliance evaluations conducted by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), from pre-compliance review and analysis through successful closure. Michelle also has significant experience engaging in conciliation discussions with both OFCCP and the United States Solicitor’s Office.
Michelle’s litigation practice focuses on individual and complex employment litigation under various statutes, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Pay Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other claims in front of the EEOC and state and federal courts. She leverages her analytics-driven skills and insights to inform litigation strategy and successfully defend clients in single-plaintiff and large class action matters.
Michelle conducts extensive internal and external workplace investigations involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and code of conduct violations, and she works with employers to implement appropriate remedial action. Michelle is committed to delivering practical, forward-thinking solutions that help clients navigate complex legal requirements, mitigate risk, and achieve their objectives.
Michelle has a deep commitment to pro bono work and has been named a Seyfarth Pro Bono All Star. She has successfully handled multiple Settlement Assistance Program matters for the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, providing critical legal support to low-income individuals who have filed federal civil rights lawsuits without the benefit of counsel. Michelle also participates in the Chicago Bar Association’s Lawyers in the Classroom community outreach program, teaching Chicago Public School students about the US Constitution.
Prior to joining Seyfarth, Michelle served as an extern in the Chambers of Judge Milton Shadur in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and at the City of Chicago Sexual Harassment Office.
- JD, DePaul University College of Law
With honors
- BA, University of Illinois
- Illinois
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- US District Court, Central District of Illinois
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Related Services
- Background Checking & Drug Testing
- Employment
- Employment Litigation
- Federal and State Contractor EEO Compliance
- Talent Acquisition & Onboarding
- Equal Pay and Pay Transparency
- Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Practice
- People Analytics
- Agency Investigations & Audits
- DATA Law: Digital Asset & Technology Advocacy
Related News & Insights
-
Legal Update
Jul 1, 2025
OFCCP Issues Proposals to Rescind EO 11246 Regulations and Modify Section 503 and VEVRAA Regulations
-
Legal Update
Nov 7, 2024
2021 EEO-1 Reports of Federal Contractors to be Released by OFCCP Absent Employer Action
-
Legal Update
Jan 3, 2024
Court Rules EEO-1 Reports Are Not Exempt “Commercial” Information Under FOIA; Department of Labor May Appeal
-
Legal Update
Jan 20, 2023
OFCCP Publishes New FY 23 Corporate Scheduling Announcement List
- Co-Author, “OFCCP Issues Proposals to Rescind EO 11246 Regulations and Modify Section 503 and VEVRAA Regulations,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 1, 2025)
- Co-Author, “2021 EEO-1 Reports of Federal Contractors to be Released by OFCCP Absent Employer Action,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 7, 2024)
- Co-Author, "Court Rules EEO-1 Reports Are Not Exempt “Commercial” Information Under FOIA; Department of Labor May Appeal," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 3, 2024)
- Co-Author, "OFCCP Publishes New FY 23 Corporate Scheduling Announcement List," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 20, 2023)
- Co-Author, "EEO-1 Reports of Federal Contractors to be Released by OFCCP Absent Employer Action," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 24, 2022)
- Co-Author, "OFCCP Issues New Directive Aimed at Collecting the Results of Federal Contractor Pay Equity Analyses During Compliance Reviews," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 16, 2022)
- Co-Author, "OFCCP Issues Updated Technical Assistance Guide for Federal Construction Contractors and Subcontractors," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 19, 2019)
- Co-Author, "OFCCP Announces Final Rule to Promote Pay Transparency," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 10, 2015)
- Co-Presenter, "OFCCP Revises Its Standard Audit Procedures- What You Need To Know About the Newly Revised Federal Contract Compliance Manual," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 26, 2013)
Michelle helps employers navigate people analytics, defend workplace litigation, and conduct thorough, defensible investigations when sensitive employee issues arise.
More About Michelle
As a member of Seyfarth’s People Analytics practice group, Michelle works with employers to design proactive, strategic, and practical approaches to workplace compliance, including adverse impact analyses, data analytics, and pay equity reviews. Clients routinely turn to Michelle for guidance related to the evolving landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She conducts privileged audits of DEI programs to assess clients’ legal and reputational risk, and to ensure that DEI initiatives align with federal nondiscrimination laws and promote an inclusive workplace.
Michelle assists federal contractors in complying with applicable equal opportunity laws, including the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. She has extensive experience representing contractors in connection with compliance evaluations conducted by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), from pre-compliance review and analysis through successful closure. Michelle also has significant experience engaging in conciliation discussions with both OFCCP and the United States Solicitor’s Office.
Michelle’s litigation practice focuses on individual and complex employment litigation under various statutes, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Pay Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other claims in front of the EEOC and state and federal courts. She leverages her analytics-driven skills and insights to inform litigation strategy and successfully defend clients in single-plaintiff and large class action matters.
Michelle conducts extensive internal and external workplace investigations involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and code of conduct violations, and she works with employers to implement appropriate remedial action. Michelle is committed to delivering practical, forward-thinking solutions that help clients navigate complex legal requirements, mitigate risk, and achieve their objectives.
Michelle has a deep commitment to pro bono work and has been named a Seyfarth Pro Bono All Star. She has successfully handled multiple Settlement Assistance Program matters for the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, providing critical legal support to low-income individuals who have filed federal civil rights lawsuits without the benefit of counsel. Michelle also participates in the Chicago Bar Association’s Lawyers in the Classroom community outreach program, teaching Chicago Public School students about the US Constitution.
Prior to joining Seyfarth, Michelle served as an extern in the Chambers of Judge Milton Shadur in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and at the City of Chicago Sexual Harassment Office.
Michelle assists federal contractors in complying with applicable equal opportunity laws, including the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. She has extensive experience representing contractors in connection with compliance evaluations conducted by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), from pre-compliance review and analysis through successful closure. Michelle also has significant experience engaging in conciliation discussions with both OFCCP and the United States Solicitor’s Office.
Michelle’s litigation practice focuses on individual and complex employment litigation under various statutes, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Pay Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other claims in front of the EEOC and state and federal courts. She leverages her analytics-driven skills and insights to inform litigation strategy and successfully defend clients in single-plaintiff and large class action matters.
Michelle conducts extensive internal and external workplace investigations involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and code of conduct violations, and she works with employers to implement appropriate remedial action. Michelle is committed to delivering practical, forward-thinking solutions that help clients navigate complex legal requirements, mitigate risk, and achieve their objectives.
Michelle has a deep commitment to pro bono work and has been named a Seyfarth Pro Bono All Star. She has successfully handled multiple Settlement Assistance Program matters for the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, providing critical legal support to low-income individuals who have filed federal civil rights lawsuits without the benefit of counsel. Michelle also participates in the Chicago Bar Association’s Lawyers in the Classroom community outreach program, teaching Chicago Public School students about the US Constitution.
Prior to joining Seyfarth, Michelle served as an extern in the Chambers of Judge Milton Shadur in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and at the City of Chicago Sexual Harassment Office.
- JD, DePaul University College of Law
With honors
- BA, University of Illinois
- Illinois
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- US District Court, Central District of Illinois
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Related Services
- Background Checking & Drug Testing
- Employment
- Employment Litigation
- Federal and State Contractor EEO Compliance
- Talent Acquisition & Onboarding
- Equal Pay and Pay Transparency
- Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Practice
- People Analytics
- Agency Investigations & Audits
- DATA Law: Digital Asset & Technology Advocacy
Related News & Insights
-
Legal Update
Jul 1, 2025
OFCCP Issues Proposals to Rescind EO 11246 Regulations and Modify Section 503 and VEVRAA Regulations
-
Legal Update
Nov 7, 2024
2021 EEO-1 Reports of Federal Contractors to be Released by OFCCP Absent Employer Action
-
Legal Update
Jan 3, 2024
Court Rules EEO-1 Reports Are Not Exempt “Commercial” Information Under FOIA; Department of Labor May Appeal
-
Legal Update
Jan 20, 2023
OFCCP Publishes New FY 23 Corporate Scheduling Announcement List
- Co-Author, “OFCCP Issues Proposals to Rescind EO 11246 Regulations and Modify Section 503 and VEVRAA Regulations,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 1, 2025)
- Co-Author, “2021 EEO-1 Reports of Federal Contractors to be Released by OFCCP Absent Employer Action,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 7, 2024)
- Co-Author, "Court Rules EEO-1 Reports Are Not Exempt “Commercial” Information Under FOIA; Department of Labor May Appeal," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 3, 2024)
- Co-Author, "OFCCP Publishes New FY 23 Corporate Scheduling Announcement List," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 20, 2023)
- Co-Author, "EEO-1 Reports of Federal Contractors to be Released by OFCCP Absent Employer Action," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 24, 2022)
- Co-Author, "OFCCP Issues New Directive Aimed at Collecting the Results of Federal Contractor Pay Equity Analyses During Compliance Reviews," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 16, 2022)
- Co-Author, "OFCCP Issues Updated Technical Assistance Guide for Federal Construction Contractors and Subcontractors," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 19, 2019)
- Co-Author, "OFCCP Announces Final Rule to Promote Pay Transparency," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 10, 2015)
- Co-Presenter, "OFCCP Revises Its Standard Audit Procedures- What You Need To Know About the Newly Revised Federal Contract Compliance Manual," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 26, 2013)