Mel M. Cole

Competent on employment matter, but communication could improve

I hired Mel Cole at Akerman LLP for a sensitive workplace investigation matter. As a Best Lawyers recognized attorney in Employment Law - Management, their legal analysis was sound and they provided a solid strategy for navigating the internal review process. Their background from UC Berkeley Law was evident in their thorough understanding of the relevant statutes. However, for a 3-star rating, the experience was just adequate. While the outcome was acceptable, there were noticeable delays in email responses, sometimes taking several business days for a reply on time-sensitive issues. Our initial consultation set high expectations regarding their direct involvement, but much of the day-to-day correspondence was handled by junior staff without clear updates. Mel is clearly knowledgeable, especially for an attorney with their recognition, but the client service and communication pacing didn't fully match the expertise. They resolved my company's issue, but the process felt less collaborative than I had hoped.