Melanie A. Renken

Partner
Areas of Practice:

Melanie focuses her practice on labor and employment law and education law.  With extensive experience in litigating employment lawsuits, Melanie also helps clients navigate day-to-day human resources issues including wage and hour matters, disability accommodations, the FMLA, restrictive covenants, employee discipline, and internal investigations.

Melanie represents clients in state and federal court, as well as before administrative agencies, in matters relating to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, workers’ compensation retaliation, and various contract and tort claims.  In her litigation practice, Melanie has served as panel counsel for various EPL (employment practices liability) insurance carriers.

Her practice has included work with clients in the financial services, construction, healthcare, hospitality, and retail industries, among others.

Prior to joining Mickes O’Toole, Melanie practiced for several years at a large Midwest law firm, and went on to represent multi-billion-dollar companies as in-house employment counsel.  Having worked as General Counsel to a global software engineering firm, Melanie is familiar with the delicate balance clients must achieve in managing risk while also running an efficient and profitable business.

In recognition of her success both inside and outside the courtroom, Melanie has been recognized by Missouri Lawyers Media as an Up & Coming lawyer, and as a Super Lawyer Rising Star—a distinction given to only 2.5% of attorneys.

Before attending law school, Melanie worked for several years in the marketing communications and public relations industries.

Education

  • University of Missouri, Bachelor of Journalism
    • Magna cum laude
    • Curator’s Scholar
  • University of North Carolina, M.A.
    • Park Fellow
  • Saint Louis University School of Law, J.D.
    • Magna cum laude
    • Order of the Woolsack
    • 1843 Scholar

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Missouri Bar
  • Illinois Bar
  • US Eastern District of Missouri
  • US Western District of Missouri
  • US Southern District of Illinois

Professional Affiliations

  • Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
  • The American Bar Association

Distinctions

  • Super Lawyers Rising Star
  • Missouri Lawyer Media Up & Coming Attorney
  • FOCUS St. Louis Leadership Class of 2020-2021

Honors

Featured Resources

News & Articles

2023 Fall MUSIC Law Workshops

MUSIC Fall Workshops will be presented by the attorneys of Mickes O’Toole, LLC. Registration for the workshops are ...

Time With The Boss – Vincent Reese | St. Louis Small Business Monthly

Originally published in the August 2023 Issue of St. Louis Small Business Monthly St. Louis' Best Bosses ...

Mickes O’Toole Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers In St. Louis For 2024

Best Lawyers recognizes outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional ...

Reese Named to 2023 POWER List of Missouri Employment Law Attorneys

We’re proud to announce that Vince Reese, the firm's Managing Partner, was named to the 2023 POWER List of ...

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