Melissa L. Romero

Biography

Cases

Commercial, Franchise, and Employment

• Won a complete victory following a four-day arbitration for the nation's largest beauty and wellness franchisor, which was accused of franchise disclosure violations, violations of unfair competition laws, and breach of contract. WTO also successfully countersued for breach of contract and trade secret misappropriation, obtained preliminary and permanent injunctions, recovered liquidated damages, and secured an award of attorneys' fees and costs.
• Won a directed verdict on a Colorado Wage Claim Act claim and secured voluntary dismissal of defamation and punitive damages claims for a large regional bank the night before closing arguments in a five-day trial after four-plus years of litigation.
• Won complete summary judgment of all seven claims brought against WTO's commercial client in an employment matter involving unsupported allegations of wrongful termination, retaliation, and age discrimination.
• Won a preliminary injunction for a national fitness franchisor against three competing fitness and nutrition studios that had stolen our client's trade secrets, infringed on its trademarks, committed fraud, and breached non-compete obligations.
• Serves as counsel in numerous high-stakes commercial and franchise proceedings involving allegations of wrongful termination, franchise disclosure violations, breach of supplier requirements, fraud, breach of contract, trademark infringement, trade secret misappropriation, and more.
• Won multiple injunctions in various states in arbitration, state court, and federal court, including matters involving varied commercial issues, including theft of trade secrets, trademark infringement, non-compete violations, and breach of contract.
• Obtained a favorable settlement for real estate professional in breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation action involving over $50 million in claimed damages.
• Successfully defended a national telecommunications company in high-stakes dispute involving unsupported allegations of trade secret theft and unjust enrichment, including by bringing counterclaims for fraud, breach of contract, civil conspiracy, and tortious interference with contract.
• Representing a nation-leading provider of dialysis services in multi-million-dollar commercial dispute.

Professional Malpractice and Product Liability

• Won partial summary judgment and dismissal of product liability claims brought against a national automobile manufacturer based on unsupported allegations of a design defect in the vehicle's occupant restraint system.
• Obtained a favorable defense settlement in a medical malpractice case following the first few days of a jury trial. Handled numerous aspects of trial including witness preparation, motions in limine, depositions, and jury instructions.
• Drafted pleadings, dispositive motions, and mediation statements for a professional malpractice case that resulted in a favorable settlement for WTO's clients.
• Represented an appliance manufacturer in a product liability class action that settled favorably.

Pro Bono

• Won complete administrative closure of removal proceedings, allowing WTO's asylum client and her minor son to remain in the United States with work authorization, indefinitely.
• Won preliminary injunction for WTO's client under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of Child Abduction, preventing WTO's client's former partner from removing his children from the State of Colorado during the pendency of the Hague matter.
• Settled a breach of contract case brought by a national bank against WTO's client on favorable terms, reducing the client's payment to under 12% of the plaintiff's original demand.

Publications & Speaking Engagements

• Co-Author, "The Use of Court Appointed Experts and Masters in Civil Cases," 46 Colo. Law. 1, (January 2017).
• "Making Space for Cultural Differences in Child Welfare," 38 NACC: Guardian 6, (August 2016).
• "Connick v. Thompson: Forsaking Constitutional Due Process for Fear of Flooding Litigation and Loss of Municipal Autonomy," 89 DENV. U.L. REV. 771, (December 2012).

Press

• WTO Elects 5 New Partners

Other Experience

Legal Memberships, Activities, and Honors

Teaching Positions