MelissaK.
Eaves

Special Counsel
LINKEDIN
Melissa Eaves

Overview

Melissa Eaves currently focuses her practice on complex civil litigation, fraud, investigations white collar criminal defense and False Claims Act litigation. She has substantial experience in compliance investigations, fiduciary counseling, ESG, American with Disabilities Act, FTC, SEC and TVPRA/human trafficking litigation.

Melissa has successfully represented numerous individuals and entities in connection with a wide range of federal and state investigations and prosecutions. In civil litigation, she has successfully represented both clients in both state and federal court.

In addition to complex litigation and white collar defense work, Melissa handles internal investigations for companies. She is an experienced and skilled investigator, handling investigatory matters involving whistleblower claims, harassment and workplace misconduct, criminal misconduct, and healthcare fraud. She has also worked with governmental agencies such as the OIG, DOJ, FTC, SEC, and HHS in connection with such investigations.

Experience

Representative Matters: 

  • Senior member of team in TVPRA case obtaining summary judgment on all claims.
  • Tried three ADA cases to complete defense verdict.
  • Senior member of a trial team representing Fry’s Electronics in a $100 million fraud action. Melissa was responsible for coordination of discovery and experts. The case settled on favorable terms shortly before trial. 
  • Acted as “second chair” in a multi-million dollar defense action brought by the Federal Trade Commission in a false advertising case. The matter was complicated by an ongoing criminal investigation and ultimately settled prior to trial.
  • Acted as “second chair” in fraud litigation involving a multi-million dollar real estate venture that was settled favorably on the eve of trial.
  • Played a senior role in a year-long False Claims Act Mandatory Disclosure Rule “LookBack” investigation for Northrop Grumman Corporation. 
  • Acted as “second chair” in a trial involving an insurance insolvency rehabilitation as well as a senior role in litigation seeking recovery of facultative and treaty reinsurance proceeds that yielded more than $1.3 billion to the estate.

Notable Engagements: 

  • Quackenbush v. Allstate Ins. Co. (517 U.S. 706, 1996).
  • Quackenbush v. Allstate Ins. Co. (121 F.3d 1371, 1997).
  • Quackenbush v. Mission Ins. Co. (62 Cal. App. 4th 797, 1998).
  • Quackenbush v. Mission Ins. Co. (46 Cal. 4th 458, 1996).
  • In re Mission Ins. Co. (Imperial), (41 Cal. App. 4th 828, 1995).
  • Sunburst Bank, N.A. v. Executive Life Ins. Co. (24 Cal. App. 4th 1156, 1994).
  • Prudential Ins. Co. v. Garamendi (3 Cal. 4th 1118, 1992).
  • California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan v. Garamendi (232 Cal. App. 3d. 904, 1991).
Credentials
Education

J.D., Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, 1985

B.A., University of California, Los Angeles, 1982

Admissions

California

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth and Ninth Circuits

U.S. District Courts for the Central and Northern Districts of California