Melinda Haag

Melinda Haag is a partner in the Litigation Department at Paul, Weiss, and co-chair of the White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group. She is widely regarded as one of the nation’s leading trial lawyers, advising corporations, boards, and senior executives in high-stakes litigation, internal investigations, and complex regulatory matters.

Melinda earned her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law in 1987, after receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of California, San Diego. Her education laid the groundwork for a career defined by rigorous analysis, persuasive advocacy, and leadership in complex legal disputes.

With more than three decades of experience, Melinda has led or co-led more than 20 jury and bench trials, including major white-collar, securities, and civil rights cases. Her practice spans criminal defense, securities litigation, internal investigations, and sensitive matters involving national security and regulatory enforcement.

Melinda regularly represents clients facing investigations by multiple regulators and law enforcement agencies. Her work has involved allegations of securities fraud, trade secret theft, bribery, antitrust violations, FCPA compliance, health care fraud, money laundering, and corporate misconduct, often in matters carrying significant reputational and financial risk.

A substantial portion of Melinda’s career has been devoted to public service. From 2010 to 2015, she served as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California, leading more than 130 attorneys and overseeing investigations into economic crimes, cybersecurity, corruption, civil rights violations, and national security matters.

Earlier in her career, Melinda spent nine years as a federal prosecutor and was appointed Chief of the White Collar Section in San Francisco by then–U.S. Attorney Robert Mueller. This experience provides her with deep insight into prosecutorial strategy and enforcement priorities.

Melinda Haag’s professional excellence has earned consistent national recognition. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and has been named repeatedly among the Top 100 Lawyers in California, a Chambers USA “Star Individual,” and a Lawdragon “Legend.”

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
• Member, State Bar of California
• Member, District of Columbia Bar Association
• Member, Bar Association of San Francisco
• Member, American Civil Liberties Union
• Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers

Licensed State

• Texas

Education

• University of California, Berkeley School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of California
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges