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Amber Melius

Partner

Practice Areas

Honors & Awards

  • “Super Lawyer,” Southern California Super Lawyers Magazine (2018-Present)
  • “The Best Lawyers in America” (2023-Present)
  • “Rising Star,” Southern California Super Lawyers Magazine (2008, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016)
  • “Top Defense Verdicts,” Los Angeles Daily Journal (2007)

Education

  • Stanford University, B.A. (Economics and Political Science), 1998
  • Harvard Law School, J.D., 2003.

Ms. Melius handles a broad range of complex litigation matters. Her recent areas of practice include entertainment, copyright, employment, contract and other commercial disputes.  She also has experience in government tort claims matters.   She has represented clients in federal and state courts, both inside and outside of the State of California.

  • Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA) (Member)
  • Harvard Law School Association of Los Angeles (Board Member)

Representative Matters

  • Successful defense of two local diamond wholesalers who were sued by a Swiss dealer and others claiming to have been dispossessed of millions’ worth of precious stones.  See Emile Chayto S.A. v. Oved Anter, BC347759 (L.A. Super Ct., verdict Dec. 12, 2007); Ishaia Trading Corp. v. Oved Anter, BC341830 (L.A. Super. Ct., verdict Dec. 12, 2007).  The case also bears the distinction of being named one of the “Top 10 Defense Verdicts” for 2007 by the Los Angeles Daily Journal.
  • Represented Oakwood Worldwide in a lawsuit alleging smoking in the outdoor common areas of one of its apartment complexes constituted a public nuisance.  The case, which Ms. Melius second-chaired, went to trial in 2011 and resulted in a complete victory for the client.  Ms. Melius continues to represent Oakwood Worldwide in the case’s appeal, as well as in other matters.
  • Represented Jaycee Dugard in the unprecedented $20M settlement based on claims brought against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) for alleged failure to adequately supervise Dugard’s captor, Phillip Garrido, during the 10 years Garrido was under the CDCR’s parole supervision.  Ms. Melius is currently representing Ms. Dugard in a federal action brought against the United States based on its parole supervision of Mr. Garrido.
  • Successful representation of producer Tony Thomas and his ex-wife against their former business manager and attorney in a lawsuit that went to trial on the issue of whether the defendants had wrongly received over $1.5 million in profits from the sale of one of Thomas’s real estate holdings. Ms. Melius second-chaired the case, in which the Court awarded Thomas and his ex-wife a total of $2,193,461.

Practice Areas

Honors & Awards

  • “Super Lawyer,” Southern California Super Lawyers Magazine (2018-Present)
  • “The Best Lawyers in America” (2023-Present)
  • “Rising Star,” Southern California Super Lawyers Magazine (2008, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016)
  • “Top Defense Verdicts,” Los Angeles Daily Journal (2007)

Education

  • Stanford University, B.A. (Economics and Political Science), 1998
  • Harvard Law School, J.D., 2003.

Related News

February 20, 2025

16 KHIKS Attorneys Named to 2025 Southern California “Super Lawyers” and “Rising Stars” Lists

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KHIKS is pleased to announce that 16 of the firm’s attorneys have been named by Thomson Reuters to either its 2025 Southern California “Super Lawyers” or “Rising Star” list. One of...
August 15, 2024

Fifteen KHIKS Attorneys Named 2025 “Best Lawyers;” Two Named to “Ones to Watch” List

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Partners Chad Fitzgerald, Shawn Holley, Larry Iser, Dale Kinsella, Kat Kleindienst, Greg Korn, Alan Kossoff, Michael Kump, Suann MacIsaac, Amber Melius, Patricia Millett, Allen Secretov, Nick Soltman, Kristen Spanier, and...
January 10, 2024

14 KHIKS Attorneys Named to 2024 Southern California “Super Lawyers” List

KWIKA logo

KHIKS is pleased to announce that 14 of the firm’s attorneys have been named to the 2024 Southern California “Super Lawyers” list by Thomson Reuters. One of the most respected...
August 17, 2023

Fifteen KHIKS Attorneys Named 2024 “Best Lawyers;” Kate Mangels Named to “Ones to Watch” List

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Partners Chad Fitzgerald, Shawn Holley, Larry Iser, Dale Kinsella, Kat Kleindienst, Greg Korn, Alan Kossoff, Michael Kump, Suann MacIsaac, Amber Melius, Patricia Millett, Allen Secretov, Nick Soltman, Kristen Spanier, and...
January 10, 2023

13 KHIKS Attorneys Named to 2023 Southern California “Super Lawyers” List

KWIKA logo

KHIKS is pleased to announce that 13 of the firm’s attorneys have been named to the 2023 Southern California “Super Lawyers” list by Thomson Reuters. One of the most respected...
August 18, 2022

Fourteen KHIKS Attorneys Named 2023 “Best Lawyers;” Shawn Holley Named Entertainment Law- Motion Pictures and Television “Lawyer of the Year”

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Partners Chad Fitzgerald, Shawn Holley, Lawrence Iser, Dale Kinsella, Gregory Korn, Alan Kossoff, Michael Kump, Suann MacIsaac, Amber Melius, Patricia Millett, Allen Secretov, Nick Soltman, Kristen Spanier, and Jon Steinsapir...
January 24, 2022

Amber Melius Named to 2022 “Leaders of Influence: Minority Attorneys” by Los Angeles Business Journal

The firm is proud to announce that the Los Angeles Business Journal has selected Amber Melius for inclusion in its "Leaders of Influence: Minority Attorneys" list for 2022....
January 20, 2022

13 KHIKS Attorneys Named to 2022 Southern California “Super Lawyers” List

KWIKA logo

KHIKS is pleased to announce that 13 of the firm’s attorneys have been named to the 2022 Southern California “Super Lawyers” list by Thomson Reuters. One of the most respected...
January 21, 2021

14 KHIKS Attorneys Named 2021 “Super Lawyers”

KWIKA logo

KHIKS is pleased to announce that 14 of the firm’s attorneys have been named 2021 Southern California “Super Lawyers” by Thomson Reuters. One of the most respected rating services in...
April 29, 2020

Seiden v. Bernstein Named one of “California’s Top 100 Verdicts in 2019”

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Dale Kinsella and Amber Melius' victory in Seiden v. Bernstein was named one of California's top verdicts of 2019 by Top Verdict magazine....
January 28, 2020

Amber Melius Named One Of the Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2020 “Top Minority Attorneys”

Amber Melius has been named a “Top Minority Attorney” by the Los Angeles Business Journal for 2020. The LABJ notes her work, alongside Mike Kump, representing Sandra Bullock in a major lawsuit against...
November 8, 2019

Michael Kump’s and Amber Melius’ Representation of Sandra Bullock for Use of Likeness Highlighted in Several National Publications

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KHIKS Partners Michael Kump's and Amber Melius' representation of Sandra Bullock in an entertainment IP matter, exposing illegal affiliate marketing, gained national coverage this week. Ms. Bullock, along with Ellen DeGeneres,...
June 7, 2016

Super Lawyers Magazine: Six from KHIKS named Rising Stars for 2016

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KHIKS is pleased to announce that Amber Melius, David Swift, Aaron Liskin, Joshua Rosenberg, Katherine Kleindienst, and Nicholas Soltman have been named Southern California Rising Stars for 2016 by Super...
June 8, 2015

Super Lawyers Magazine: Six from KHIKS named Rising Stars for 2015

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KHIKS is pleased to announce that Jeremiah Reynolds, David Swift, Amber Melius, Greg Gabriel, Aaron Liskin and Joshua Rosenberg were named Southern California Rising Stars for 2015 by Super Lawyers...
March 23, 2015

KHIKS wins international child custody battle in California Court of Appeal

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On March 20, 2015, the California Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District in Fresno, agreed with the arguments presented by the KHIKS team of founder Michael Kump, partner Amber Melius,...
February 25, 2014

Variety notes newest KHIKS partners, Amber Melius and David Swift

The February 25 issue of Variety recognizes Amber Melius and David Swift, KHIKS’s newest partners....
July 26, 2010

The Huffington Post: Tiki is the Barber of Civil [Lawsuit], Figaro!

Amber Melius explains how former NFL player Tiki Barber has been burning a few bridges lately. Read the Full Article...
June 20, 2010

Super Lawyers Magazine, Rising Stars 2010 Edition: Six at KHIKS Recognized

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Suann MacIsaac, Greg Korn, Jonathan Steinsapir, Amber Holley, Greg Gabriel and David Swift were named Rising Stars in Super Lawyers‘ 2010 edition. Suann and Amber were recognized for their success...

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