
Melissa Lolotai, Esq., is a partner with The Law Firm of John P. Mahoney,
Esq., Attorneys at Law, who specializes in federal employment law. Attorney
Lolotai’s law practice includes all facets of federal employment
law, including representation in Equal Employment Opportunities Commission
(EEOC), Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), Title 38, Office of Special
Counsel (whistleblower retaliation), administrative investigation, performance,
and misconduct matters.
Prior to joining the The Law Firm of John P. Mahoney, Esq., Attorneys at Law, Ms. Lolotai practiced federal employment law for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) for over six years. Ms. Lolotai was a Senior Trial Attorney, GS-15, with DVA’s Office of the General Counsel (OGC) and was regarded as an expert in administrative investigations. Attorney Lolotai has invaluable insight into the processes and cultures of federal agencies, which uniquely informs her current practice. She has worked closely with Directors and other decision makers, and has advised them with regard to misconduct, performance, and whistleblower retaliation issues. As a senior trial attorney, Ms. Lolotai handled DVA's most complex litigation across numerous states. She regularly provided training nationwide on the administrative investigation process, and was a consultant for administrative investigation issues.
Ms. Lolotai has also practiced insurance defense law, specializing in the area of workers' compensation defense. Ms. Lolotai's trial experience began in this area, which gave her ample opportunity to develop her litigation skills as she represented clients in the administrative hearing process before the Hawaii State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
As one of two attorneys selected to clerk for the Honorable Corinne Watanabe of the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals, following graduation from law school, Ms. Lolotai had the opportunity to work for the second highest court in the State of Hawaii. This elite position is one of the most highly coveted positions for new law school graduates, and gives the clerks insight into and understanding of judicial determinations. As a clerk, Ms. Lolotai was commended for her superior legal research and writing skills.
Ms. Lolotai graduated from the Washington University School of Law, which is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 18th best law school in the nation. While at Washington University, Ms. Lolotai was a primary editor for the Washington University Global Studies Law Review and was selected to participate in the Washington, D.C., law clinic, giving her an opportunity to work as a legal fellow on the U.S. Senate’s Commerce Committee. Ms. Lolotai also received the CALI award, given to the student with the highest grade, in Constitutional Law. She received her bachelor's degree in International Political Economy from the University of Puget Sound.
Ms. Lolotai is admitted to the Hawaii state bar.
LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN HAWAII ONLY. NOT ADMITTED TO THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BAR. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PRACTICE LIMITED TO PROVIDING LEGAL SERVICES TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SOLELY BEFORE A SPECIAL COURT, DEPARTMENT, OR AGENCY OF THE UNITED STATES.
Mar 9, 2015 - Woodbridge, VA
“Attorney John Mahoney represented me in an EEOC case against a charge levied against me with a proposed dismissal from a federal government position, which I held for over two decades. Mine was a ...”
Jun 17, 2016 - ,
“After years of continuous discrimination and exhausting my Agency chain of command, I turned to Attorney John Mahoney for his expertise. John took my case and advised me of my best possible choices ...”
Feb 13, 2017 - ,
“I fully recommend Lisa Windsor for the exceptionally hard work she puts into a case. Lisa was relentless in pursuing every possible legal and administrative measure from Medical Boards to the BCMR. ...”
Jun 17, 2016 - ,
“Dear Attorney Mahoney, I carefully listened to your recent Federal News Radio interview. You have professionally highlighted the significant atrocities inflicted upon the federal employees, ...”
Feb 27, 2018 - ,
“Mr. Mahoney and his team were very instrumental in resolving my agency’s proposed removal action. Once I engaged his services, the team actively worked on my case and kept me abreast of all ...”
Jan 24, 2017 - , SD
“When my agency placed me on indefinite administrative leave after 29 years of service, my first reaction, after the initial shock, was to find a lawyer who knew federal employee law. Later, when they ...”
Feb 27, 2018 - Kittery, ME
“I would like to thank Attorney Lisa Windsor for her excellent representation during my disability discrimination case. After being subjected to disability discrimination and a hostile work environment ...”
Dec 5, 2018 - ,
“I want to take time out and thank Firm Partner, Letha A. Miller, Esq, and John P. Mahoney, Esq., Attorney at Law for representing me at my agency. Your professionalism, in-depth knowledge of the law, ...”
Jul 20, 2018 - ,
“Mr. Mahoney, as a victim, when dealing with Equal Employment Opportunity Issues, it can be an emotional rollercoaster. The lawyer that a victim selects is very important. I have hired numerous lawyers ...”
Jun 17, 2016 - ,
“Mr. Mahoney was extremely knowledgeable, professional, and responsive in handling my case. When going up against the federal government, you want someone who knows what they are doing and an attorney ...”
Jul 18, 2018 - ,
“Ms. Young has been an absolute pleasure to work with! She is poised, calm, razor-sharp and professional when advocating her client’s case to agency attorneys and judges. She has a remarkable grasp of ...”