Melanie Chico is an Assistant Practice Group Leader of Dykema's Business Litigation Group. She concentrates her practice on complex business and commercial litigation matters. She uses her industry knowledge and client-focused approach to tailor litigation strategies that resolve disputes with minimal impact on business operations and the bottom line. Ms. Chico has successfully litigated cases involving breach of contract, business torts, construction defects, fraud, employment discrimination, restrictive covenants, antitrust, intellectual property, and class action defense. She represents real estate developers, trading companies, employers, manufacturers, retailers, insurance carriers, financial institutions, voluntary associations, and local governmental units. Ms. Chico also has extensive experience handling a broad range of cases impacting the automotive industry. Examples include product liability, breach of warranty, consumer fraud, subrogation, premises liability, technology and intellectual property, and dealer claims. 

Ms. Chico has tried cases in federal and state courts and has significant experience litigating temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctions. In addition to her trial work, Ms. Chico has defended and prosecuted multiple appeals before the Illinois Appellate Court and Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. She also regularly handles mediations and arbitrations.

Ms. Chico actively contributes to the firm and the community. She is the Hiring Member for Dykema’s Chicago office and participates in training programs for associates. Ms. Chico dedicates her time to pro bono cases, particularly those involving vulnerable populations and civil rights violations.

Bar Admissions

Illinois, 2007

Education
University of Chicago, J.D. Duke University, B.A.