Melinda J. Morales

Melinda J. Morales

Melinda J. Morales
Principal
Phone: 312.521.2434 vCard
Fax: 312.521.2334
mmorales@muchshelist.com

PRACTICE GROUPS

AT WORK

Melinda J. Morales represents both plaintiffs and defendants in a range of complex commercial litigation matters in state and federal courts. A major focus of her practice is class action litigation, including the defense of consumer fraud, Telephone Consumer Protection Act ("TCPA" or "blast fax"), ERISA and wage and hour claims. Melinda has defended class actions on behalf of numerous corporate clients and others—from large financial institutions and midsize companies to entrepreneurial businesses. Before focusing her practice on class action defense, she worked on the plaintiffs' side prosecuting class claims for consumer fraud, antitrust and securities violations.

Her extensive class action litigation experience, particularly in the areas of consumer fraud and TCPA matters, is complemented by experience in policyholders' insurance coverage issues and general business litigation.

Melinda's current and recent representations include the following:

  • Defended a large financial institution in a putative class action alleging breach of contract. Obtained dismissal on all claims on mootness grounds. Decision was affirmed by the Illinois Appellate Court.
  • Defended a battery manufacturer in a putative class action alleging consumer fraud violations. Obtained dismissal on all claims on mootness grounds. Decision was affirmed by the Illinois Appellate Court.
  • Defending a trustee financial institution in putative class action alleging retirement plan-related ERISA violations.
  • Representing multiple clients in defense of class actions alleging TCPA and Consumer Fraud Act violations.
  • Defending a consumer warranty company in a class action alleging breach of contract and violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act and Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
  • Defended a retailer in a FACTA putative class action based on failure to truncate or delete credit card data on paper receipts.
  • Defending policyholders in multiple declaratory judgment actions by insurers seeking to avoid coverage.
  • Defending a developer in a dispute with a municipality alleging breach of development agreement.
  • Defending a bottle cap manufacturer-debtor against a multi-million-dollar contract claim in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
  • Defending a large commercial bakery in a multi-million-dollar breach of contract dispute with a supplier.

IN THE PROFESSION

Melinda is a member of the American Bar Association (Sections of Litigation and Antitrust) and the Chicago Bar Association. Having served as Vice Chair of the CBA's Class Action Committee for the 2005-2006 bar year, she is currently a member of the CBA's Alliance for Women. Melinda is also a member of the American Bar Association Section of Litigation Consumer and Personal Rights Committee. She served on the committee's newsletter editorial board and as newsletter Co-Editor during the 2003-2005 bar years.

Melinda serves as Co-Chair of the firm's Diversity Committee.

While in law school, she was a member, and later a student director, of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court.

BACKGROUND

University of Minnesota Law School
J.D., 1994

Carleton College
B.A., 1989

Melinda is admitted to practice in Illinois state courts, the Northern and Southern Districts of Illinois, and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.