Melissa Tea

Practice Areas

Melissa Tea is the lead practice area leader for the firm's global litigation and dispute resolution practice. She maintains an active litigation and counseling practice representing public and private companies primarily in the manufacturing and technology industries helping clients identify and manage risks that might impact their operations and business objectives. Melissa serves as a strategic adviser to her clients, developing creative solutions to complex legal issues that align with business priorities and efficiently resolving disputes through negotiated settlements, mediations, arbitrations, or trials. Melissa also has extensive experience serving as coordinating counsel for clients with regional and nationwide recurring litigation, with particular expertise in mass tort and product liability.

Melissa's experience in enterprise risk management extends to the industries of commercial and consumer products, technology hardware and software, metals manufacturing and fabrications, specialty chemicals, energy, and industrial and commercial coatings. She advises her clients on all facets of their external risk management and litigation needs, including contract disputes, supply chain issues, force majeure claims, ESG matters, business torts, insurance coverage, product liability, class action defense, and construction disputes, among other matters. In her role as coordinating counsel, Melissa has developed and implemented innovative, company-tailored defense strategies and cost-effective processes and approaches to manage the resolution of recurring claims.

Professional Memberships

Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, Board of Directors (2017-present), Vice Chair of the Board of Directors (2021-present), Executive Committee member (2019-present), Governance Committee Chair (2019-2021)

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Government Relations & Advocacy Committee (2016-present)

United Way of Allegheny County, Emerging Leaders Tocqueville Committee (2018-2021) and Women’s Leadership Council (2012-present)

The Executive Women of Pittsburgh, Founding Member (2017-2020)

Pittsburgh CLO, Board of Directors (2014-2017)

2018 Most Powerful and Influential Women Award, National Diversity Council

Firm Service

Practice Area Leader, Litigation (2019-present)

Advisory Council (2019-present)

Chair, Associate Development Committee (2017-2019)

Women in the Profession Committee (2013-2022)

Chair, K&L Gates Public Interest Fellowship Program (2011-2016)

Education

Publications

"Exploring opportunities, trends and risks in the manufacturing industry: Q&A with women leaders at K&L Gates LLP," Pittsburgh Business Times, 1 August 2023