Melissa Kponou

Melissa Kponow is a Consultant Solicitor specialising in employment law. Called to the Bar in 2001 and admitted as a solicitor in 2009, she has advised clients on employment law matters since 2004 and brings more than 20 years’ experience to both contentious and non-contentious workplace issues.

Melissa acts for both claimants and respondents across a broad range of business sectors, although her practice principally focuses on representing claimants. Her work spans the full spectrum of employment law, including discrimination, whistleblowing, unfair dismissal, TUPE, unlawful deduction of wages, flexible working disputes, workplace grievances and breach of contract claims. Alongside her legal practice, she has developed extensive HR advisory experience and is a qualified mediator, a qualified GDPR practitioner and holds qualifications in Investment Compliance and Financial Crime Prevention.

Over the course of her career, Melissa has secured substantial settlements and tribunal awards for clients in a wide range of employment disputes. Her experience includes achieving settlements of £50,000 in both pregnancy discrimination and disability discrimination claims, recovering compensation exceeding £200,000 in a disability discrimination case and securing compensation of more than £100,000 for a prison officer following a successful reinstatement two years after dismissal. She has also achieved successful outcomes in whistleblowing, unfair dismissal, negligent misstatement and breach of contract claims, regularly obtaining significant financial awards for her clients.

Melissa has been involved in a number of notable employment law matters. She represented multiple claimants in the holiday pay litigation that culminated in the landmark Employment Appeal Tribunal decision in Bear Scotland v Fulton concerning the three-month gap rule. She also succeeded in one of the first sexual orientation discrimination claims against a national fashion retailer, a case that was subsequently referenced by organisations including Stonewall.

While much of her work focuses on claimant representation, Melissa has considerable experience supporting employers. She has successfully defended businesses facing complex claims involving unlawful deduction of wages, whistleblowing and unfair dismissal, and has advised employers on sensitive workplace matters including flexible working requests and discrimination allegations. Her broad experience allows her to understand the objectives and challenges faced by both employees and employers, helping her deliver pragmatic, commercial and outcome-focused advice.

Clients value Melissa’s approachable manner, practical outlook and determination to secure the best possible outcome. Whether negotiating a settlement, advising on workplace issues or pursuing litigation through the Employment Tribunal, she provides straightforward guidance and robust representation during what are often challenging and stressful situations.

Outside of work, Melissa enjoys keeping fit and is a keen boxer. She is also a member of a drumming band, enjoys spending time with family and friends, and has recently taken up learning Japanese.