MELANIE CLIFF

Founder & Partner, CLIFF LLP

Melanie Cliff is a highly experienced legal and business advisor and considered as the "go-to" for challenging business initiatives, often acting as outside counsel for many automotive dealership groups across the state. 

Ms. Cliff supervises and directs CLIFF LLP's legal team in complex litigation, class action, and general litigation defense matters. Ms. Cliff's pragmatic, down-to-earth approach identifies the legal liabilities and compliance risks for business teams, allowing for real life solutions in an increasing unpredictable regulatory and litigation environment. Ms. Cliff's long lasting relationship with her clients, often spanning decades, have proven her ability to navigate her clients through the many nuanced regulations and compliance requirements at the federal, state, county and local levels. 

Ms. Cliff has also amassed a broad based practice covering state and federal regulatory, franchise, licensing, advertising and distribution matters, where she has directed massive multi-state regulatory projects for major players in the automotive space, specializing on complex issues such as state-specific licensing, advertising, and regulatory frameworks. Recognized as an industry-leading specialist, Ms. Cliff is continuously sought for her knowledge within the automotive and technology start-up space. Ms. Cliff's regulatory work with industry newcomers, including startup electric vehicle manufacturers and internet based automotive companies, has helped identify and shape the direction of future law. 

Michele joo

Partner, CLIFF LLP

Michele Joo is a seasoned attorney with extensive experience overseeing legal compliance and directing legal matters for a multi-rooftop dealership owner. 

Ms. Joo specializes in managing dealership compliance by designing monitoring programs and spearheading initiatives to ensure adherence to vehicles, sales, F&I and advertising regulations. She has also played a vital role in uncovering and assisting with the resolution of employement embezzlement, leading to successful prosecution and incarceration.  
Before transitioning to her career in law, Ms. Joo spent a decade as a FHA/VA residential mortgage underwriter for numerous banks. 

Ms. Joo consults on day-to-day dealership compliance, operations and legal matters.

Lisa L. Loveridge

of counsel, CLIFF LLP

Lisa L. Loveridge is a skilled trial attorney with extensive experience litigating all types of civil litigation matters in both state and federal courts throughout California. Ms. Loveridge has represented clients from the automotive, finance, hospitality, insurance industries as well as other general business, bankruptcy, insurance coverage and bath faith matters. 
 

With her vast trial experience, Ms. Loveridge leads CLIFF LLP's trial team in all aspects of complex litigation from inception through arbitration, mediation and/or trial, including pre-litigation negotiations, investigation, discovery, dispositive motions, trial preparation and trial. Additionally, Ms. Loveridge has successfully argued many appellate matters.  

As previous in-house counsel for a national insurance company, Ms. Loveridge has also conducted compliance audits of legal costs and fees of insurance defense firms.

deborah hill

Legal Assistant / administration

With over fifteen years of experience in executive and administrative support, Ms. Hill specializes in document management, legal compliance, and operational efficiency. Ms. Hill has a proven ability to steamline communication and has a background rich in supporting high-level executives, managing vendor relations, and handing complex logistical issues. 

Prior to joining the legal field, Ms. Hill has served as as an Office Manager and Executive Assistant, gaining extensive experience in overseeing critical office operations and implementing company-wide initiatives. Her diverse background allows her to bring a detail-orientated and adaptable appraoch to supporting the needs of a fast-paced law firm. 

Contract professionals

For larger projects, we call upon our network of highly credentialed contract attorneys, HR consultants and professionals carefully selected based on their years and depth of experience. Our contract team is a great resource allowing us to keep costs manageable in an ever-changing legal market.