Has represented international and domestic clients in a range of corporate matters in emerging and frontier markets involving complex international trade and policy issues for more than 25 years.
Has significant experience advising clients on managing sanctions risk relating to their business and transactions.
Firmwide professional development partner and member of the firmwide Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council.

Melissa represents clients in joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), financings and corporate governance matters. With deep experience in emerging markets, she is skilled at advising clients and negotiating cross-border transactions, particularly those involving complex international trade and policy issues. Melissa is recognized for her skill at addressing complex international trade control issues in cross-border transactions involving parties from multiple jurisdictions around the world.

From 1997 through 2005, Melissa was a partner with Akin, resident in the firm’s New York, Moscow and Washington, D.C., offices. She was managing partner of our Moscow office from 1998 to 2000, and, upon her return to Washington, D.C., she served on the firm’s management committee. During her initial tenure at the firm, Melissa represented Russian and foreign investors on a wide variety of matters in Russia and internationally.

Before rejoining the firm in 2014, Melissa served as an independent consultant, advising companies, high-net-worth individuals and foundations on corporate governance matters, acquisitions and dispositions, and financings in the United States, Russia, Sweden and internationally.

Representative Work

Advised numerous funds with respect to the Russian, Venezuelan and other sanctions programs, including with respect to pending legislation.
Advised numerous investment funds on compliance with U.S. sanctions regarding Venezuelan sovereign and PdVSA bonds.
Advised numerous borrowers on sanctions and anticorruption provisions in financings both at the time of negotiation of the provisions and upon findings of potential violations.
Advised on sanctions and international trade control risks in connection with M&A transactions and equity offerings, including negotiation of related agreements.
Advised multinational companies with global footprints on U.S. sanctions compliance issues, particularly in light of Russian counter-measures to sanctions.

Advised a Securities and Exchange (SEC)-registered issuer on its voluntary self-disclosure to the Office of Foreign Assets Control regarding sanctions violations, including advising on its public disclosure and negotiations with lenders.
Advised an investment fund following the sanctions designation of a significant minority limited partner.
Advised an investment fund on the blocking of its holdings in a debt security of a newly sanctioned entity.

Education
J.D., Harvard Law School, cum laude, 1991
B.A., Cornell University, with distinction, 1988

Bar Admissions
District of Columbia
New York

Recognitions

Corporate Counsel, Women, Influence & Power in Law: Best Mentor, 2022.
Diversity Journal, Women Worth Watching in Leadership, 2022.

Affiliations and Public Service

Member, Leadership Team, Washington Hunger Project, September 2012-present
Board of Trustees and Vice President, Washington Hebrew Congregation, 2016-present
Board of Trustees, Washington International School, 2018-2021
Board member and secretary of the board, The Global Fund for Children, 2016-2019
Founding Board Member and Secretary, Human Trafficking Pro Bono Legal Center, 2013-2016

Speeches and Publications

“Regulatory Update: Amendments to US Executive Order (E.O) 13959,” Bank of America Merrill Lynch Webinar (June 11, 2021).
“Cross-Border M&A: The U.S. Government Has a Seat at the Table,” Houston Bar Association M&A Section Meeting (Houston, TX, November 21, 2019).
“Closing the Deal: Practical Insights and Legal Considerations in Cross-Border Transactions,” The Association of Corporate Counsel National Capital Region Meeting (Washington, D.C., February 26, 2019).
“Sanctions: Vigilance in an Increasingly Complex Global Environment,” Akin Energy Symposium (La Jolla, CA, October 12, 2018).
“Issues to Consider in the Sanctions Era,” Akin Energy Symposium (La Jolla, CA, September 9, 2016).
“Issues to Consider in the Sanctions Era,” The Global Energy Industry: 2016 Mid-Year Energy Briefing (Houston, TX, July 14, 2016).