Atty. Melissa A. Schilling
Melissa Schilling represents public and private sector employers in labor and employment matters. In that role, she has successfully represented clients in state and federal cases involving a broad range of labor and employment laws, including Title VII, the American with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
Profile Summary
About Melissa A. Schilling at a glance
Melissa A. Schilling is a employment, litigation, and education attorney based in Des Moines, Iowa, practicing at Dickinson, Bradshaw, Fowler & Hagen PC. Admitted to practice in Iowa, Polk County Bar Association, Iowa, Iowa State Bar Association, and United States, American Bar Association. Educated at Creighton University (J.D. (Cum Laude, 2010) and The University of Iowa (B.S. (with Honors)). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Labor and Employment (Des Moines) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Education Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management (2026). Serands clients in Des Moines, IA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Melissa Schilling represents public and private sector employers in labor and employment matters
- In that role, she has successfully represented clients in state and federal cases involving a broad range of labor and employment laws, including Title VII, the American with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act
- Melissa also has extensive experience investigating and handling matters filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) and related federal and state agencies
- Her work before these agencies includes assisting clients at the early charge stage, during governmental investigations, and throughout any subsequent litigation
- In addition to her litigation experience, Melissa has experience counseling employers on a wide range of labor and employment issues, including cyber security issues, discrimination, harassment, FMLA and medical issues in the workplace, technology issues, and discipline matters
- In her counseling practice, she takes a proactive approach to responding and resolving various employment issues and assists her clients in establishing policies and procedures necessary to comply with the ever-changing law
- In addition to labor and employment law, Melissa represents real estate companies, condominium associations, and homeowner associations before the Iowa Civil Rights Commission
- Melissa’s practice also includes representing real estate companies, banks, and insurance companies in commercial litigation
- As part of her proactive approach to helping clients, Melissa also regularly conducts training for employers on a wide range of employment matters, including prevention of discrimination and harassment, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Family Medical Leave Act, hiring and recruitment practices, cybersecurity risks and strategies, discipline, supervisor best practices, and appropriate investigation techniques
- Prior to joining Dickinson law, Melissa Schilling practiced labor and employment law with a Chicago law firm, where she represented primarily municipal employers in state and federal litigation, grievance arbitration, and matters pending before the Illinois Labor Relations Board
Practice Areas Explained
Melissa A. Schilling's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Melissa A. Schilling handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
Melissa A. Schilling is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Iowa →
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Melissa A. Schilling is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Iowa →
Education attorneys for special education (IEP), school discipline, Title IX, and student rights.
Melissa A. Schilling is one of 24,079 education attorneys indexed nationally. Browse education attorneys in Iowa →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Iowa
Practicing law in Iowa. Legal matters in Iowa are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Des Moines are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Iowa state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Iowa brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Iowa courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Iowa attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Des Moines or all attorneys in Iowa.
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