About Brian
Brian Melendez: Litigation Attorney Specializing in Consumer Protection and Business Torts
Brian Melendez is a highly respected and accomplished litigation attorney with over two decades of experience providing strategic legal counsel and aggressive representation in complex cases. As a former president of the Minnesota State Bar Association, Mr. Melendez brings a unique blend of courtroom expertise, leadership, and a deep commitment to client advocacy. He specializes in consumer-credit litigation and business torts, consistently achieving favorable outcomes for his clients across a wide range of industries and legal challenges.
Mr. Melendez’s career is marked by a remarkable record of success. He has been recognized multiple times as a Top Attorney of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer magazine, earning this prestigious award in 2002 and again in 2008 – a rare distinction achieved by only two individuals. His consistent inclusion on the Minnesota Super Lawyers list since 2003, coupled with his listing in The Best Lawyers in America, underscores his unwavering dedication to excellence and his significant contributions to the legal profession. His expertise extends beyond litigation, having earned a bachelor’s degree with honors from Harvard College in 1986, a J.D. with honors from Harvard Law School in 1991, and a master’s degree in Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School in 1991, concentrating in ethics, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of legal principles and ethical considerations.
Throughout his career, Mr. Melendez has represented a diverse portfolio of clients, including several Fortune 100 companies, in matters ranging from contractual disputes and breach of contract claims to sophisticated consumer-protection claims and complex business torts. He has successfully litigated over 300 cases under federal and state consumer-protection statutes, demonstrating a profound understanding of these intricate legal areas. Specifically, he has extensive experience navigating legislation such as the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the Consumer Credit Protection Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Fair & Accurate Credit Transactions Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and the Minnesota Prevention of Consumer Fraud Act. For a complete list of the statutes he has litigated under, please click here: [Link to Complete List - Placeholder]. His litigation experience spans appearances in more than 30 federal district courts and state courts in over 20 states, showcasing his versatility and adaptability in diverse legal jurisdictions.
A key aspect of Mr. Melendez’s practice is his involvement in putative nationwide class actions. He has defended more than a dozen such actions involving federal consumer-protection statutes, including a pivotal role in one of the earliest class-action claims under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act in 2000. He represented the lead petitioner in *ACA International v. Federal Communications Commission (D.C. Cir. 2018)*, a consolidated challenge to the Commission’s ruling on the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (the 2015 TCPA Order), further solidifying his standing as a national leader in consumer protection litigation.
Mr. Melendez’s legal acumen extends beyond courtroom advocacy. He currently serves on the Federal Practice Committee for the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, where he chairs the style guide committee, ensuring consistent and effective legal practices. His contributions also include his ongoing involvement with the ABA Standing Committee on Constitution & Bylaws, where he has served for multiple terms.
Education & Credentials:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.), Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts – 1991
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts – 1986
- Bar Admissions: Admitted to the Bar of the State of Minnesota; Active member of the Minnesota State Bar
- Recognized: Recognized in Best Attorney USA since 2017
Practice Areas:
- Commercial Litigation
- Consumer Protection Litigation
- Business Torts
- Financial Litigation
Affiliations:
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Best Attorney USA
City: Minneapolis, State: Minnesota, Country: United States
