Bringing a scientific background to her practice, Melissa M. Coates represents clients in class action, intellectual property, product liability, financial services, and multidistrict litigation before US federal and state courts through trial and appeal, including a class action jury trial in federal court to a complete defense victory. Melissa’s appellate experience includes briefing before the Ninth and Eleventh Circuits, the New York Appellate Division – Second Department, the Rhode Island Supreme Court, and the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.
In addition to complex commercial litigation, Melissa maintains an active pro bono practice. A former research scientist, Melissa holds a Ph.D. in biological sciences. Melissa is a member of Morgan Lewis’s Class Action Working Group and the Elite Advocacy Associate Steering Committee.
In law school, Melissa interned for US District Court Judge Cecilia Altonaga and served as a research assistant to Professor Mary Doyle. She was also a member of the University of Miami Law Review. After law school, Melissa served as a law clerk to Judge Paul C. Huck of the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Prior to law school, she received a Fulbright Fellowship to conduct research at Lund University in Sweden. During her academic career and several years spent as a research scientist, Melissa authored scientific publications and received research fellowships from the National Science Foundation, the Grass Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health.
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Miami (2022–2025)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, Miami (2024, 2025)
Listed, Ones to Watch, Banking and Finance Law, South Florida Best Lawyers Magazine (2023)
Morgan Lewis Diversity Fellow
Fulbright Fellow
Member, Order of the Coif