Melissa’s client base is centered around the biotechnology, therapeutics, and chemical industries and includes both early stage and established companies. Melissa counsels her clients in connection with IP transactions and agreements including license agreements, collaboration agreements, and merger and acquisition agreements. She also has experience in patent litigation and dispute resolution including proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).

Prior to joining the firm, Melissa was a partner in the Seattle, Washington office of an international law firm where she focused her practice on strategic intellectual property counseling as well as patent due diligence for partnering deals, venture financings, public offerings, and mergers & acquisitions.

Prior to launching her legal career, Melissa worked as a synthetic bench chemist for a life sciences company and as a postdoctoral research scientist in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Washington.

Melissa has been a frequent presenter, speaker, lecturer, panelist, moderator, program developer, and creator for several years at events including Life Science Washington, Practising Law Institute (PLI), Innovator's Edge, University of Washington Foster School of Business, and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.

Melissa was recommended by Legal 500 US in 2023 for Patent Prosecution (including re-examination and post-grant proceedings). She was also recognized for Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice and Patent Law in 2022 by The Best Lawyers in America®.