Mr. Melzer is a partner with Rutan & Tucker, LLP where he specializes in litigation and trial work. Rutan & Tucker is the largest and oldest Orange County based law firm, having more than 135 attorneys and tracing its roots back almost 100 years.
Mr. Melzer graduated from law school at the University of California, Davis, in 1987 and was inducted into the prestigious Order of the Coif for graduating in the top 10% of his class. Mr. Melzer began as a civil litigator at Rutan & Tucker immediately after graduation and in January 1995 became a partner with the firm. Achieving further recognition amongst his colleagues, Mr. Melzer has served as an elected member of Rutan & Tucker’s three person Executive Management Committee which is responsible for the firm’s governance and strategic planning. Mr. Melzer has also served as General Counsel for the law firm.
Mr. Melzer’s trial and arbitration experience includes complex business disputes, competitive business practices, real estate litigation, and public agency-related litigation. In this regard, Mr. Melzer has been involved in a multitude of large and high profile lawsuits in both Federal and State forums. Mr. Melzer also has substantial experience in conducting administrative hearings and related proceedings, having appeared before a variety of local, county and state agencies. Mr. Melzer represents a diverse clientele, including Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, corporate and venture principals, as well as public agencies throughout the State of California.
Recently, Mr. Melzer was selected as a “Southern California Super Lawyer” by Law & Politics magazine, an honor bestowed upon a mere 5% of the Los Angeles/Orange County bar based on peer-attorney balloting and “Blue Ribbon” panel review. Mr. Melzer also serves as the Chair of the firm’s Unfair Competition/Class Action Defense Group which represents businesses in consumer and “unfair competition” related litigation.
When not practicing law, Mr. Melzer is active as a coach in youth sports organizations and in a variety of community organizations.
Areas of Expertise
- Business Litigation
- Real Estate Litigation
- Competitive Business and Advertising Practices
- Public Agency Related Litigation
Recent Presentations
- Class Action Roundtable, California Lawyer, July 2011
Representative Cases
Submitted Upon Request