Claire Melehani
Rising Star
President
Lawyers
"Claire Melehani pairs sharp financial fluency with courtroom instinct, representing high-net-worth individuals, executives, and companies through California's most complex disputes."
Founding partner and civil trial attorney. Claire Melehani focuses on complex litigation for high-net-worth individuals, executives, and companies throughout California.
Her practice spans business and commercial disputes, trust and estate litigation, employment law, and real estate litigation, with significant depth in matters involving financial elder abuse.
Before co-founding McLellan Law Group. Claire spent nearly four years as a trial and appellate attorney at Gates Eisenhart Dawson, a Silicon Valley boutique firm handling high-conflict civil proceedings for high-net-worth clients.
Prior to that, she represented clients in complex, contested divorce and asset division matters at a prominent Bay Area family law firm, experience that sharpened her instincts for high-stakes negotiations and the demands of sophisticated clientele.
Uncommon financial fluency. Claire's litigation practice is distinguished by her background as an investment banking analyst at a global investment bank.
That experience gives her command of financial analysis, valuation, and business strategy that directly informs her courtroom approach and the practical counsel she provides to executives and entrepreneurs navigating contentious disputes.
A recognized leader in the California legal community, Claire currently serves as President of the Santa Clara County Bar Association.
- Serves on the SCCBA Board of Trustees since 2022; previously served as Treasurer and Secretary
- Board of Governors, California Women Lawyers
- ABA "On The Rise. Top 40 Young Lawyers," class of 2023
- California Super Lawyers Rising Star, every year since 2021
- Top Women Attorney in Northern California, San Francisco Magazine
- Admitted in all California state courts, the U.S. District Court (N.D. Cal.), and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Outside the courtroom, Claire maintains an active pro bono practice, mentors students in the legal community, and publishes Legally Speaking, a weekly newsletter on California law.
Commercial Lease Trial Victory
Business LitigationTried a multi-day commercial lease bench trial for a small business tenant, establishing the tenant's rights to disputed leased space, defeating the landlord's breach, sublease, and fraud theories, and securing a judgment awarding the tenant its attorneys' fees and costs as the prevailing party.
Shareholder Arbitration Defense
Business LitigationDefended two shareholders and directors of a family-owned restaurant corporation in a binding arbitration brought by a co-owner, defeating claims for financial elder abuse and unfair business practices and nearly all fiduciary duty claims, with the arbitrator applying the business judgment rule and limiting the claimant to a small fraction of the damages he sought.
COVID-19 & Landlord-Tenant Litigation
Business LitigationRepresented clients in COVID-19-related lease disputes, along with other real estate, business, and landlord-tenant litigation in state court.
Appellate Affirmance for Surviving Spouse
Trust & Probate LitigationObtained dismissal of an appeal in the California Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District, by arguing that the appellants failed to demonstrate error, preserving a probate order that set apart a lifetime probate homestead for a surviving spouse and secured her right to remain in her home over the objection of her late husband's children.
Trust Termination & Final Account Approval
Trust & Probate LitigationRepresented a trustee in resolving a beneficiary's petition to compel distribution and terminate the trust by stipulation, then obtained court approval of the trustee's final account with an express finding that she had performed all of her duties as trustee.
Wrongful Death Settlement Approval
Trust & Probate LitigationRepresented a court-appointed special trustee in obtaining probate court approval of a multimillion-dollar wrongful death settlement paid from a trust, along with approval of all of the special trustee's acts, fees, and resignation.
Pregnancy Discrimination Severance Increase
Employment LawIncreased a laid-off employee's severance by more than 80 percent over the household-name technology company's standard plan formula after she was terminated while on approved pregnancy disability leave, resolving her pregnancy discrimination and leave retaliation claims before litigation.
Pre-Litigation Severance Doubled
Employment LawNearly doubled the severance offered to an employee of a nationally recognized technology company in a pregnancy discrimination matter, resolving her claims through pre-litigation negotiation before any lawsuit or agency complaint was filed.
Retaliation Severance Settlement
Employment LawObtained a pre-litigation settlement of more than three times the employer's original severance offer for a longtime manager who was laid off shortly after reporting workplace mistreatment of his team.
Faculty Discrimination Settlement
Employment LawSecured a settlement for a faculty member whose contract was not renewed after she reported race and national origin bias in faculty hiring, after the institution had refused to offer her any severance.
Disability Accommodation Settlement
Employment LawResolved disability discrimination and failure-to-accommodate claims for a laid-off employee of an automotive manufacturer after filing with the California Civil Rights Department and before any lawsuit, securing nearly double the company's original severance offer.
These results are provided for informational purposes only. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and every matter turns on its own facts and law. Representative matters include some results obtained in prior practice.
ABA Top 40 Young Lawyers
National RecognitionNamed to the American Bar Association's "On The Rise. Top 40 Young Lawyers" class of 2023, a national recognition of achievement, leadership, and service.
Super Lawyers Rising Star
California Rising StarSelected as a California Super Lawyers Rising Star every year since 2021, an honor conferred upon the top 2.5% of rising attorneys in California.
"I recommend Attorney Claire Melehani, whose efforts were immediate, determined, analytical, well considered, and constant. Throughout her personal and team efforts, Claire worked hard to build a strong, strategic, and effective case to ensure a positive resolution to an unfolding disruptive and stressful situation. Much appreciation and gratitude."
"Claire was nothing short of incredible with how she represented me and my interests. She was always available, super prompt, organized, tactful, and strategic throughout the entire process. Claire was also very empathetic and practical which was super important at various times throughout my case and trial. Ultimately, Claire won me a large settlement and won my case. I would highly and confidently recommend Ms. Melehani to anyone and I would absolutely hire her again!"
"Excellent Attorney, Amazing Human Being. I had the pleasure of being represented by Mrs. Melehani during a very dark and extremely litigious phase of my custody case. Claire went above and beyond to ensure no detail was missed in my very laborious and exhaustive case. Further, her candor was always professional and extremely empathetic which went a long way to making me feel I was in good hands."
"We worked with Claire and Steven on a living trust issue that we had, and were very impressed with their professionalism and patience in handling everything. Claire was highly recommended from another firm we had reached out to, and we certainly understand why. It is reassuring to know that we can always reach out to them for additional help if needed."
"Claire and Steven are not only incredibly knowledgeable but very supportive. They won't simply recommend a course of action that will cost the most money, but actually consider the issues and advise you on what's best for YOU. I feel very fortunate I was able to work with them for a difficult issue!"
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