Melissa A. Hewey

Melissa A. Hewey

Portland, ME recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2003
Drummond Woodsum

49 Best Lawyers awards

Drummond Woodsum logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Litigation - Labor and Employment Bet-the-Company Litigation Commercial Litigation Education Law Employment Law - Management Litigation - Municipal
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Portland, ME.

Biography

Melissa Hewey is an accomplished litigator with substantial experience across a broad range of practice areas, including insurance defense, school law, higher education law, employment matters, and complex commercial litigation. Melissa has represented a diverse set of clients, such as insurance companies, schools, colleges and universities, municipalities, law firms, hospitals, individuals, and businesses in a variety of industries.

Melissa has tried a wide range of cases and argued significant appeals in state and federal courts in Maine and New Hampshire. She regularly represents clients in complex litigation in federal court, including in class action and mass tort cases. In her higher education practice, Melissa works regularly with colleges and universities around the country on Title IX matters, serving in the roles of investigator, decision maker, and at the appellate level. In litigation, Melissa has the expertise, preparation, and commitment to her clients to take their cases from inception to verdict or judgment if trial is required.

From 2020 to 2024, Melissa was recognized as a Top Five Maine Lawyer by Super Lawyers. Benchmark Litigation lists her as one of the Top 250 Women in Litigation nationwide.

For almost 20 years, Melissa has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America for employment, education, municipal, and commercial law categories. She is the first woman in Maine to be inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers and was elected as a Fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America’s Trial Lawyer Honorary Society. Melissa also serves on the pro bono panel for the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Program in Portland, Maine.

Drummond Woodsum

49 Best Lawyers awards

Drummond Woodsum logo

Overview

  • University of Maine School of Law, J.D., graduated 1987
  • University of Maine School of Law, J.D., graduated 1987

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Education Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Education Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Education Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2012 - Employment Law - Management
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment, Portland, ME (2026)
  • Education Law, Portland, ME (2024)
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment, Portland, ME (2024)
  • Education Law, Portland, ME (2021)
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment, Portland, ME (2018)
  • Employment Law - Management, Portland, ME (2016)
  • Education Law, Portland, ME (2014)
  • Employment Law - Management, Portland, ME (2012)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Education Law
  • Employment Law - Management
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Litigation - Municipal
Special Focus:
  • Education
  • Management

Your browser is not fully compatible with our automatic printer friendly formatting.

Please use the print button to print this profile page.

Spinning circle Big letter B