Melissa Azallion

Melissa Azallion practices in both the firm's employment and labor and the immigration groups.

Ms. Azallion represents individuals and corporate clients in multiple industries, including higher education, manufacturing, health care, hospitality, government, and technology. She serves on the board of directors for the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, is past chairman of the Lowcountry Workforce Investment Board, and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Prior to joining Nexsen Pruet, Ms. Azallion worked for Cooper & Gentile Co., LPA in Dayton, Ohio, where she practiced in the areas of labor and employment, business immigration, workers' compensation and school law. She has also worked as a human resources administrator and EEO Officer at the University of Dayton, where she was responsible for writing and directing the University's Affirmative Action Plan. Currently, she represents individuals and corporate clients in many industries including higher education, manufacturing, health care, government and technology.

Ms. Azallion has been a frequent speaker for business and community organizations on topics including sexual harassment, immigration, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, Title VII, wage and hour and workers' compensation issues. She has also been invited to speak to employer groups by Lorman Education Services and the Council on Education in Management.

• Lowcountry Workforce Investment Board - Past Chairman

• "Q&A with Melissa Azallion, attorney with Nexsen Pruet on Hilton Head Island"
  The June 21st, 2010 edition of South Carolina Lawyers Weekly features a Q&A article with Nexsen Pruet immigration attorney Melissa Azallion.
• "Small firms to face hiring audits"
  Nexsen Pruet attorneys Melissa Azallion and David Dubberly share insight into how new immigration audits will impact South Carolina businesses.
• "Immigration experts glad state agrees to back off on surprise inspections"
  Hilton Head's The Island Packet interviewed Nexsen Pruet immigration attorney Melissa Azallion for an October 16th article entitled "Immigration experts glad state agrees to back off on surprise inspections."
• Client Alert: SC Immigration Inspection Update
  Nexsen Pruet recently conducted an Immigration Compliance and Enforcement webinar. During the webinar we stated that the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce ("Chamber") had helped resolve two of the main concerns raised by the way the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation ("LLR") had been carrying out immigration inspections to enforce the South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act...
• Employment Law Alert: Court Upholds Rule Requiring Federal Contractors to Use E-Verify
  Removing what is likely the last hurdle to implementation, last week a U.S. District Court dismissed a lawsuit challenging implementation of the E-Verify Rule for federal contractors.
• "Immigration audits concern businesses"
  Nexsen Pruet attorney David Dubberly is interviewed for a Charleston Regional Business Journal article entitled "Immigration audits concern businesses."
• "Businesses, lawyers grapple with state's new immigration law"
  Nexsen Pruet immigration attorney Melissa Azallion is quoted in an article in Hilton Head's The Island Packet entitled "Businesses, lawyers grapple with state's new immigration law."
• Employment Law Alert - South Carolina Immigration Inspections: Is LLR Going too Far?
  Is the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) going to far when checking to see if businesses are in compliance with the South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act (the Act)?
• Nexsen Pruet: Only Law Firm Listed for North and South Carolina in "Trade Allies" Directory
  The new edition of Southern Business & Development magazine features the "1st Annual Trade Allies Directory." Nexsen Pruet is the only law firm listed in both North and South Carolina.
• News Alert: NC and SC Counties Join Immigration Enforcement Partnership
  Charleston County, SC and Guilford County, NC have entered into immigration enforcement partnerships with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
• Is Your Business Prepared To Comply with the SC Illegal Immigration Reform Act?
  

  The South Carolina Hospitality Association's "Snap Shot" for July 3rd includes an article written by Nexsen Pruet Immigration attorney Melissa Azallion about the SC Illegal Immigration Reform Act.

• Client Alert - South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act
  Starting today, private employers in South Carolina with 100 or more employees must comply with the employment verification requirements of the South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act.
• Final Rule Issued about E-Verify
  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued a final rule on whether most federal contractors must prove that their employees are in the United States legally. The rule, which was released last week, mandates companies to use E-Verify. The system compares employee information to electronic government records.
• New Immigration Video
  Nexsen Pruet Attorney Melissa Azallion addresses critical immigration issues for business
• New Immigration Requirements in Beaufort County
  Nexsen Pruet Immigration Attorney Melissa Azallion is quoted in an article about new requirements for developers in Beaufort County.
• Newspaper quotes Nexsen Pruet Attorney in Immigration article
  The Myrtle Beach Sun News featured an article on August 16, 2008 called "Immigration law faces fights" and quotes Nexsen Pruet Attorney Melissa Azallion.
• Leading Attorney and Business Leaders to Discuss Immigration Reform
  MYRTLE BEACH, SC – From the Presidential Election to Palmetto state politics, immigration is a hot issue right now. It is especially true in South Carolina thanks to the new South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act.
• 2008 Immigration Update Video
  Melissa Azallion recently led a seminar to update professionals about changes in Federal and South Carolina immigration law. Watch this video to learn more about: the details of this new law, E-Verify - the pros and cons of enrollment and new requirements for federal contractors, a thorough analysis of the SC Illegal Immigration Reform Act and how it will impact your business, and the importance of I-9 compliance in preparing for a federal or state audit.
• Melissa Azallion Named to Board of Directors for Local Chamber of Commerce
  Melissa Azallion, a Partner in Nexsen Pruet’s Hilton Head office, has been named to a three-year term on the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
• Nexsen Pruet Elects Four New Members
  Nexsen Pruet announced that Melissa L. Azallion, Brian C. Bonner, Nikole Setzler Mergo, and Suzanne Guitar Odom have been elected Members (partners) of the firm.
• Immigration Compliance Seminar Covers Business Issues
  On Thursday, July 20, Azallion will teach "LAW 106: Immigration Compliance Issues for Businesses" from 6pm to 7:30pm at the Coastal Georgia Center in Savannah.
• Americans with Disabilities Act UPDATE - Employment Law Briefing Covers Recent Developments
  Employers constantly struggle with how to apply important ADA requirements to day-to-day issues that arise in the workplace. Please join us for a free breakfast briefing for employers about recent developments under the ADA.
• Savannah Business Journal Names Melissa Azallion to "40 Under 40" List
  Melissa L. Azallion, an attorney in Nexsen Pruet's Hilton Head office, has been selected to the Savannah Business Journal's "40 under 40" list in recognition of her professional and community achievements.
• Hilton Head Attorneys Licensed in GA
  Melissa L. Azallion has been sworn into the Georgia Bar, becoming the third attorney in Nexsen Pruet’s Hilton Head office to be admitted to practice in Georgia as well as South Carolina.
• Melissa Azallion Appointed Vice-Chair of Lowcountry Workforce Investment Board
  Melissa L. Azallion, an employment and immigration attorney in Nexsen Pruet's Hilton Head office, has been appointed vice chair of the Lowcountry Workforce Investment Board.

• Employment Law Update - August 2010 Supplemental
  Part one of a two-part OSHA Update describing what employers can do to prepare for an inspection conducted by South Carolina OSHA.
• Employment Law Update - August 2010
  This edition of the newsletter summarizes a Fact Sheet issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) setting out the agency's view of unpaid internships.
• Employment Law Update - June 2010
  This edition reviews a recent decision by the Fourth Circuit federal appeals court examining who is a "supervisor" for purposes of holding a company liable for sexual harassment conduct by a supervisor.
• "Small businesses beware: S.C.'s illegal immigration crackdown enters new phase"
• Employment Law Update - May 2010
  On March 30, 2010, Governor Sanford signed legislation restructuring, and renaming, the South Carolina Employment Security Commission, and amending the state's employment security law. This month's update describes some of the changes that have taken place at the agency and in the benefits claims process.
• Employment Law Update - April 2010
  Employer wins ADA suit brought by medical intern who could not perform the essential functions of his job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• Employment Law Alert: The HIRE Act and FICA Taxation of Severance Benefits
  Hiring for the HIRE Act: Federal Legislation Offers Substantial Incentives for Bringing on New Workers and Important New Development Affecting FICA Taxation of Severance Benefits
• Employment Law Update - March 2010
  This edition describes new audit initiatives by the IRS and DOL that focus on potential misclassification of workers as independent contractors when they are, in fact, employees, as well as potential misclassification of employees as exempt from wage and hour laws when they do not meet the requirements for exempt status.
• Employment Law Update - February 2010
  This month's Employment Law Update addresses some of the legal risks associated with employee use of blackberries and cell phones after work hours or while driving.
• Employment Law Update - January 2010
  As the new year gets underway, the January edition of the Update discusses four resolutions employers will want to consider.
• Employment Law Update - December 2009
  This edition addresses employment law issues arising from employee and employer use of online social networking sites.
• Employment Law Update - October 2009
  This edition focuses on the EEOC's recent publication that addresses waivers of discrimination claims in employee severance agreements; the EEOC reminds employers and employees about requirements for valid and enforceable releases, especially when the releases are for employees age 40 and older.
• Immigration Compliance and Enforcement Update
  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) inspectors are calling on employers daily to audit compliance with federal and state immigration requirements. And the mandatory E-Verify Rule for Federal Contractors is scheduled to go into effect on September 8, 2009. Are you ready?
• Employment Law Alert: Court Upholds Rule Requiring Federal Contractors to Use E-Verify
  Removing what is likely the last hurdle to implementation, last week a U.S. District Court dismissed a lawsuit challenging implementation of the E-Verify Rule for federal contractors.
• E-Verify: Is it Right for Your Business?
  On July 1, 2009, South Carolina businesses with more than 100 employees became subject to the employment verification provisions for new hires set forth in the South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act. By July 2010, all South Carolina businesses must comply with the employment verification rules....
• Is Your Business Prepared To Comply with the SC Illegal Immigration Reform Act?
  On June 4, 2008, South Carolina passed a comprehensive immigration law touted by many as one of the toughest immigration laws in the nation. Employers are greatly impacted and need to understand what lies ahead....
• Staying Ahead of the Game on State and Federal Immigration Enforcement Issues
  Over the past year, employers have been dealing with immigration enforcement initiatives at the federal, state and local levels. In some instances, businesses have been targeted for audits by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with very tight time periods to produce I-9 documents. Also, some South Carolina businesses with more than 100 employees have recently been the subject of random audits by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation (SCLLR) and have been asked to produce I-9 documents....
• Employment Law Update - August 2009
  This edition focuses on three Department of Labor opinion letters that address how cost-cutting strategies like mandatory furloughs and reduced workweeks may affect an employee's exempt status under the Fair Labor Standards Act. It also updates pending North Carolina legislation that, if passed, would require private sector employers to use E-Verify to check the legal status of new hires.
• Employment Law Update - July 2009
  This edition discusses the U.S. Supreme Court’s Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc. decision, which recognized a more stringent standard of proof for employees bringing claims under the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). According to the Court, a plaintiff asserting a disparate-treatment claim under the ADEA must prove that age was the “but-for” cause of an adverse employment action, as opposed to a mere “motivating factor.”
• Employment Law Update - June 2009 Supplemental
  Starting July 1, 2009, private employers in South Carolina with 100 or more employees must comply with the employment verification requirements of the South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act.
• Employment Law Update - June 2009
  This edition focuses on recent court decisions striking down restrictive covenants for being overly broad and highlights the need to narrowly tailor non-compete and non-solicitation agreements.
• Employment Law Update - May 2009
  This edition explains why many employers are seeking privileged legal compliance reviews of their compensation practices and documentation in the aftermath of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

  A brief video update on immigration compliance developments is available by clicking here. Then, click on the video entitled "Immigration."

• E-Verify Memo of Understanding
  This memo of understanding explains certain features of the E-Verify program...
• Employment Law Update - March 2009
  This edition describes the recently enacted Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which extends the time period in which employees can pursue pay discrimination claims.
• Employment Law Update - February 2009 - Special COBRA Edition
  The economic stimulus law signed by President Obama on February 17, 2009, contains significant changes to COBRA, providing for a premium subsidy for eligible employees and also giving eligible individuals another chance to elect COBRA.
• Employment Law Update - February 2009
  This edition summarizes laws and issues that can impact Carolinas employers when downsizing or otherwise reducing payroll or schedules.
• Employment Law Update - January 2009
  This edition summarizes key provisions of the new FMLA regulations, which will require substantial changes in employer policies and practices.
• Employment Law Update - December 2008
  2009 promises to bring many changes and challenges for employers and their human resources departments. This edition identifies employment and labor law compliance issues that can be addressed through audits and employee surveys, as well as policy reviews and training.
• The Latest on the South Carolina Immigration Reform Act
  You can get the latest on the South Carolina Immigration Reform Act from immigration attorney Melissa Azallion.
• 2008 Immigration Update Video
  Melissa Azallion recently led a seminar to update professionals about changes in Federal and South Carolina immigration law. Watch this video to learn more about: the details of this new law, E-Verify - the pros and cons of enrollment and new requirements for federal contractors, a thorough analysis of the SC Illegal Immigration Reform Act and how it will impact your business, and the importance of I-9 compliance in preparing for a federal or state audit.
• Employment Law Update - June 2008
  The South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act, signed into law by Gov. Sanford on June 4,2008, changes the legal landscape for employers doing business in the State by imposing new employment verification requirements and establishing penalties for noncompliance.
• Immigration Update
  This Update summarizes immigration developments affecting employers in both Carolinas as well as all employers who are federal contractors.
• Top 10 Law Firms that Understand Economic Development
  Nexsen Pruet is named among the top law firms in the Southeast for economic development - and is the only law firm listed in South Carolina.
• Employment & Labor Law Desk Reference For The Carolinas
• Employment Law Update - October 2006
  On August 17, 2006, President Bush signed the 900-plus page Pension Protection Act of 2006 ("PPA"), putting in place many reforms to federal tax and employee benefit laws intended to strengthen the nation's private employer retirement system.
• Employment Law Update - August 2006
  U.S. Supreme Court Expands Anti-Retaliation Provision of Title VII
• Unemployment Compensation in South Carolina
  New for 2006! A detailed guide to one of the most complicated and confusing areas of employment law – unemployment compensation.
• Employment Law Update - June 2006
  Recent Decisions Highlight Importance Of Background Checks for Employers

"Immigration Compliance Issues for Business," Georgia Southern University, Law 106, July 2006

"Hospitality Immigration Update," Hilton Head Hospitality Association, July 2006

"Interplay Between FMLA, ADA, and WC Laws," Southeast HR Conference,  June 2006

"Topics in Immigration Law," Carolina's Electrical Contractor's Association, June2006

"Topics in Immigration Law, " South Carolina Security Directors, April 2006

"The Basics of the Employment Process," Low Country Workforce Investment Board, April 2006

"Topics in Immigration Law, "Low Country Workforce Investment Board, February 2006

"Diversity in the Workplace," SAIA-Burgess, January 2006

"Harassment in the Workplace," SAIA-Burgess, January 2006

• Hospitality Law - Employment Alert
• Association of Corporate Counsel
• Chamber Labor Climate Network Human Resource Workshop
• Berkeley Chamber of Commerce Presentation
• Webinar: Workplace Immigration Enforcement Update
• Employment Law Quarterly Breakfast Briefing
• Employment Law Quarterly Breakfast Briefings
• Webinar: Immigration Compliance & Enforcement Update
• "Immigration Update: Preparing Your Business for Federal and State Compliance"
• Federal and State Immigration Worksite Enforcement
• Immigration Reform and Your Business
• Corporate and HR Executive Lunch & Learn Series
• Quarterly Employment Law Breakfast Briefing - October 2006: Immigration Law - Is Your Business in Compliance?
• Quarterly Employment Law Breakfast Briefing - January 2006