Melissa L. 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

• 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.

• 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 - July 2006
  Fourth Circuit Holds Employee Has No Automatic Right To Job Restoration Following FMLA Leave
• 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

• 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