Melissa Bailey has an extensive background in government relations and labor and employment law, including substantial litigation experience in occupational safety and health matters. Melissa provides counseling and litigates occupational safety and health cases before federal agencies and courts, represents clients in government inspections and investigations, and performs audits and compliance counseling. Melissa represents employers in a wide range of industries, including chemical, manufacturing, mining, construction, automotive, health and hospitality services. Melissa advises employers and trade associations about strategies to minimize liability during government inspections and she assists employers in developing effective compliance plans. , , Melissa has represented clients before Congress and government agencies on a wide range of labor and employment issues, including wage and hour laws and policy, family leave issues, disability law, occupational safety and health, and labor management issues. She has testified before Congress regarding OSHA issues and has espoused management interests on employment matters including the Fair Labor Standards Act, minimum wage issues and the Family Medical Leave Act. Melissa also regularly represents clients before federal agencies in connection with rulemaking and policy formulation.

Earlier in her career, Melissa served as Labor and Employment Counsel to the Senate Committee on Small Business, then chaired by Senator Kit Bond (R-MO), where she drafted legislation on labor and employment subjects, including  the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII, the Family Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. As Counsel, Melissa developed labor and employment policies for the business community, spoke with constituent groups regarding regulatory and legislative initiatives, drafted policy papers and planned hearings. Her role included substantial contact with the Republican leadership concerning strategy for labor and employment legislation and policies.

Melissa regularly writes and speaks on occupational safety and health matters including process safety management, chemical security, nano technology and OSHA enforcement and policy matters.  Lawyers Weekly USA named Melissa as one the "Ten Lawyers Who Stood Out" because of her involvement with OSHA enforcement and rulemaking and she has also been featured on NPR's Market Watch to discuss OSHA enforcement trends.