• People
  • Services & Industries
  • Insights
  • Innovation
  • Offices
  • My Binder
  • PDF

Melody L. Rayl

Partner


Kansas City

t:816.460.0201

f:816.842.8767

Email

Service Focus

  • Counseling and Advice
  • Employee Defection and Trade Secrets
  • Employment Discrimination and Harassment
  • Litigation and Trials
Find Other Professionals
Select from the following options for a referral to a resource with a different focus.
Services
or
Industries
Overview
Insights
Credentials
Recognitions
Affiliations

Overview

As a partner in the Kansas City office, Melody Rayl zealously advocates for private and public-sector employers in all aspects of employment related litigation. When litigation occurs, Melody works with employers to develop an appropriate litigation strategy to address the unique nuances of each situation. She has successfully defended clients in individual discrimination, harassment and retaliation litigation, as well as collective action wage and hour disputes, from inception through resolution before state and federal courts and administrative agencies. Melody also regularly advises and counsels her clients through difficult situations and provides training to supervisory and management level personnel on a variety of employment related topics.

Prior to engaging in the practice of law, Melody served 6 years on active duty in the U.S. Army and 20 years as a law enforcement officer in a variety of roles. She also spent one year as an international police advisor in post-war Bosnia, during which time she supervised the Internal Affairs Investigation Unit responsible for investigating allegations of police brutality. Melody’s background provides her with a unique ability to assist both private and public-sector clients in effectively investigating claims of discrimination and harassment.

Insights

  • Event

    10/20/23

    2023 Midwest Labor and Employment Seminar

    James R. Holland II, Melody L. Rayl, Samantha J. Monsees, Lauren M. Sobaski, Laura Bailey Brown

    Read more 

  • Event

    10/28/22

    2022 Midwest Labor & Employment Seminar

    James R. Holland II, Melody L. Rayl, Laura Bailey Brown, Samantha J. Monsees, Lauren M. Sobaski

    Read more 

  • Event

    11/12/21

    2021 Midwest Labor & Employment Law Seminar

    Lauren M. Sobaski, Melody L. Rayl, Laura Bailey Brown, Samantha J. Monsees

    Read more 

  • News

    08/20/20

    Fisher Phillips Attorneys Receive Top Honors in Best Lawyers in America©

    Michael V. Abcarian, Mason G. Alexander, Stephanie R. Alexander, William E. Altman, Christopher Alvarez, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Davis C. Bae, Andrew J. Baer, Gregory D. Ballew, Kelsey E. Schiappacasse, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Jocelyn Campanaro, Christopher J. Capone, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, Lyle M. Chan, J. Randall Coffey, Theresa M. Connolly, Laurel K. Cornell, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, J. Micah Dickie, Burton F. Dodd, David B. Dornak, Benjamin Dudek, Todd Alan Ewan, Daniel E. Farrington, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Andrew Froman, Joseph W. Gagnon, Brian J. Gershengorn, Lauren G. Goetzl, Rosemary S. Gousman, LaLonnie Villa Gray, Michael R. Greco, Paul Greco, Rick Grimaldi, Greg Grisham, Lori A. Guner, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, Lariza Pruneda Hebert, JonVieve D. Hill, Susan Hartmus Hiser, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Cynthia M. Jacob, Clyde H. Jacob III, David S. Jones, Matthew R. Korn, Danielle Krauthamer, Edwina C. Kye, Arthur V. Lambert, Terry E. Lardakis, Aymara Ledezma, Courtney Leyes, Karl R. Lindegren, Steven M. Loewengart, Reyburn W. Lominack III, Nathan K. Low, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, Howard A. Mavity, James J. McDonald Jr., Phillips L. McWilliams, Richard A. Millisor, Stephen C. Mitchell, Danielle Hultenius Moore, R. Henry Moore, Timothy J. Murphy, Gregory V. Murray, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. O'Brien, James Patrick, Jonathan P. Pearson, Regina A. Petty, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Melody L. Rayl, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Ashton M. Riley, Stephen J. Roppolo, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, Cheryl L. Schreck, David E. Schreiner, Stephen Scott, Timothy H. Scott, Joseph P. Shelton, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Jeffrey D. Smith, John W. Stapleton, Shanon R. Stevenson, Terri R. Stewart, Christopher P. Stief, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, James Sullivan, Martin F. Thompson, Megan Reese U'Sellis, Pavneet Singh Uppal, Teresa Valderrama, Joshua H. Viau, Timothy J. Weatherholt, Jeff Weintraub, Alexander A. Wheatley, Benton N. Wood, Robert Yonowitz, George D. Adams, Richard R. Meneghello, Hannah Sweiss, Robert M. Robenalt, Todd A. Lyon, Todd B. Logsdon, J. Hagood Tighe, Danielle S. Urban, Sheila M. Willis, Kristin R.B. White, Michelle I. Anderson

    Read more 

  • Publication

    10/07/19

    Kansas City Partner Discloses Five Ways Employers Can Guard Against Retaliation Claims

    Melody L. Rayl

    Read more 

  • Insights

    09/02/19

    Learning Through The Haze: Accommodating Medical Marijuana In The School Setting

    Melody L. Rayl

    Read more 

  • Event

    08/09/19

    2019 Midwest Labor & Employment Law Seminar 

    James R. Holland II, Samantha J. Monsees, Melody L. Rayl, Lauren M. Sobaski

    Read more 

  • Event

    10/23/18

    Western Kansas Human Resource Management Association’s Annual HR Seminar

    Melody L. Rayl, Lauren M. Sobaski

    Read more 

  • Insights

    08/31/18

    Keeping Our Students Safe—A Threat Assessment Model

    Melody L. Rayl

    Read more 

  • Publication

    07/06/18

    Kansas City Partner Advises Employers on Response to SCOTUS Travel Ban Decision

    Melody L. Rayl

    Read more 

View All 

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., 2007, summa cum laude, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law
  • Masters, 2003, Criminal Justice, Washburn University
  • B.A., 1998, Criminal Justice, Park College

Bar Admissions

  • Kansas
  • Missouri

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri

Recognitions

  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (2021 - 2024)
  • Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers Rising Star (2011-2016)

Affiliations

Professional Activities

  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Missouri Bar Association
  • Member, Kansas Bar Association
  • Member, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association

Community Activities

  • Board of Trustees, Johnson County Community College (2023 - Present)

We Also Recommend

Subscribe to Our Latest Insights 

©2023 Fisher & Phillips LLP. All Rights Reserved. Attorney Advertising.

  • Privacy
  • CCPA Privacy
  • Legal Notices
  • Client Payment Portal
  • My Binder