Melissa J. Tea

Melissa Tea is a partner, member of the firm’s Management Committee, and the lead practice area leader of the global Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice at K&L Gates, as well as a highly regarded trial lawyer and strategic adviser to clients. She represents public and private companies across the manufacturing, technology, aerospace, specialty chemicals, and consumer products industries, helping clients identify, mitigate, and resolve complex business risks and disputes. Melissa counsels clients on enterprise-wide risk management and efficiently resolves disputes through negotiated settlements, mediations, arbitrations, and trials. She also serves as national coordinating counsel for clients facing recurring and nationwide litigation, with particular experience in mass tort, product liability, and class action defense.

Melissa has extensive experience guiding clients on contract disputes, supply chain issues, force majeure claims, ESG-related litigation, business torts, insurance coverage, and construction disputes. She has developed innovative, cost-effective defense strategies tailored to the needs of companies facing complex and recurring claims. A frequent speaker and author on topics such as ESG litigation, corporate governance, and emerging risks, she is recognized as both a skilled advocate in the courtroom and a trusted business partner to senior leadership teams.