Melody L. Rayl

Melody Rayl is a partner in the Kansas City office. Melody counsels and advocates for private and public-sector employers in all aspects of employment litigation and traditional labor law. Melody regularly advises and counsels her clients through difficult situations with an eye to preventing litigation before it occurs and provides training to supervisory and management level personnel on a variety of employment related topics. When litigation does occur, Melody works with employers in defending individual discrimination, harassment and retaliation litigation, as well as collective action wage and hour disputes and other employment class action litigation, from inception through resolution before state and federal courts and administrative agencies. Melody also assists clients in opposing labor union organization activities and during collective bargaining negotiations.

Melody has been named a Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers Rising Star for six consecutive years. Melody has served her community as an elected official, having been twice elected to the Board of Trustees of Johnson County Community College. 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 a police advisor in post-war Bosnia Herzegovina, during which time she supervised the Internal Affairs Investigation Unit responsible for investigating allegations of police misconduct. Melody’s background provides her with insight into the unique culture of public safety organizations, as well as the ability to assist both private and public-sector clients in effectively investigating claims of discrimination and harassment.