McNair is pleased to announce that Melissa Azallion has joined the Firm as a Shareholder. Melissa will lead the Firm’s Immigration Practice and is based out of the Hilton Head Island office.

Melissa focuses her state-wide practice on business immigration as well as labor and employment and represents individuals and corporate clients in many industries, including higher education, manufacturing, health care, hospitality, government, and technology. Her prior experience as a Human Resources Administrator and Equal Employment Opportunity Officer for the University of Dayton gave her early exposure to immigration and employment issues. She has continued to serve clients in these areas for the past fifteen years in private practice.

“We are very excited to have Melissa join our firm,” said Walter J. Nester, III, Managing Shareholder of McNair’s Hilton Head and Bluffton offices. “Her leadership skills and experience compliment the growth and expansion of our firm, and we believe will play and important role towards continuing to bring positive results for our clients throughout the Carolinas and beyond.”

Melissa moved a growing legal practice from Dayton, Ohio to South Carolina in 2002 and has since rooted herself within the community. She is a frequent speaker for community and business organizations on topics including federal and state immigration compliance, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, Title VII, wage and hour and workers' compensation issues. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, is past chairman of the Lowcountry Workforce Investment Board, and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Melissa graduated from Capital University Law School and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Bowling Green State University. Melissa is licensed to practice law in South Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, and the Federal District Court of South Carolina.