FRESNO, Calif. – August 31, 2026 – Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to welcome Melissa Cerro as the office managing shareholder in Fresno, California. Cerro joins from McCormick Barstow LLP, where she was a partner.
Cerro is a labor and employment litigator with more than a decade of legal experience. Her practice includes defending employers during pre-litigation, litigation, and trial, as well as in mediation and proceedings before administrative agencies. Cerro represents public and private employers in a broad range of labor and employment matters, including class and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) actions, wage-and-hour disputes, contract disputes, wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, harassment, and AB 218-related claims.
Cerro works closely with business leaders to develop proactive compliance strategies and regularly provides advice and counsel on handbook policies, reasonable accommodations, employee discipline, severance agreements, and more. Her leadership extends beyond the boardroom and courtroom, as she develops and hosts annual events to discuss contemporary employment law issues while mentoring associates and law students regularly.
“Melissa brings a well-rounded litigation practice and a service-first approach that will serve our clients well,” said Greg Cheng, managing director at Ogletree Deakins. “She understands what employers need, both in the courtroom and in the day-to-day decisions that keep them out of it. That experience and perspective, paired with her passion for coaching the next generation of attorneys, make her the right person to lead our Fresno office.”
“Ogletree Deakins’ exclusive focus on labor and employment law, along with its national platform and resources, allows me to serve clients on a larger scale while continuing to expand my practice here in the Central Valley,” said Cerro. “I’m glad to be joining a firm with such a strong reputation for client service, and I look forward to continuing to grow the Fresno office.”
Cerro earned her JD and a Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution Certificate from the Pepperdine University School of Law, and her BA, with honors, from the University of California, Irvine. She is a member of the Fresno County Women Lawyers Association and the Fresno County Bar Association, and she serves on the board of Break the Barriers, a nonprofit that maintains and promotes inclusive sports, health and fitness, performing arts, and education programs, impacting over 10,000 individuals weekly, including students, inner-city outreach, and Veterans.
About Ogletree Deakins
With more than 1,100 attorneys in 60 offices worldwide, Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management. We handle all types of employment-related legal matters, including traditional labor and employment, workplace safety, employee benefits, and business immigration matters. Guided by our Client Pledge, we focus on understanding clients’ business and objectives, collaborating and anticipating needs, harnessing technology and innovation, communicating effectively, and providing quality representation with exceptional value. www.ogletree.com