Snell & Wilmer Partner James Melendres Named Fellow of Litigation Counsel of America

PHOENIX – Snell & Wilmer is pleased to announce that Partner James P. Melendres has been selected as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA). The LCA, composed of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers, is a trial lawyer honorary society dedicated to promoting superior advocacy, professionalism, community service and ethical standards among its Fellows

Fellowship in the LCA is highly selective and by invitation only. Selection is based on effectiveness and accomplishment in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels, and superior ethical reputation. The number of Fellowships has been kept at an exclusive limit by design, allowing qualifications, diversity and inclusion to align effectively with recognition of excellence in litigation across all segments of the bar. Fellows are generally at the partner or shareholder level or independent practitioners with considerable experience. Fellows may also include judges, professors of law, governmental attorneys and in-house counsel.

Melendres defends companies and executives in complex federal and state criminal, civil, and regulatory matters and leads high-stakes internal investigations. He has extensive experience litigating complex civil matters, including multiparty disputes, parallel proceedings, and high-exposure cases involving significant financial, regulatory, and reputational risk. Recognized nationally for his work in litigation and government investigations, he is regarded as a trusted advisor for clients confronting their most critical business and legal risks. He serves as Managing Partner of the firm’s Litigation, Investigations, and Trials Practice Group and leads its Investigations, Government Enforcement, and White Collar Defense Industry Group.

Prior to joining the firm, Melendres spent nearly a decade as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice, where he handled high-profile matters, including prosecutions involving former CIA Director David Petraeus and the leader of the Tijuana Cartel. A graduate of Stanford Law School, Melendres is widely recognized for his leadership in government investigations, white collar defense, cybersecurity, and crisis management, and frequently counsels organizations navigating high-stakes legal and reputational challenges.