Melissa is the Practice Innovation Attorney for Gunderson Dettmer’s M&A practice. She supports the firm’s M&A and corporate attorneys in connection with M&A matters by developing and managing resources, advancing knowledge-sharing processes and solutions, and establishing best practices that enhance client service and optimize client value. Her work supports the M&A practice as legal technology and AI continue to shape the delivery of legal services.

Melissa began her legal career in the Real Estate Department at O’Melveny & Myers before moving to the firm’s Corporate Department. She later joined Fenwick, where she became an M&A specialist advising buyers and sellers in mergers, stock and asset purchases, and other strategic transactions across a range of industries. At Fenwick, Melissa managed transaction workstreams and coordinated complex deal processes from structuring and diligence through negotiation, signing and closing.

Melissa subsequently served as Senior Corporate Counsel at a publicly traded company. Before joining Gunderson Dettmer, she was Special Counsel and Knowledge Management Attorney for Sidley’s Emerging Companies and Venture Capital practice, where she led its knowledge-management efforts. She then created Cooley’s inaugural associate-development role, designing and implementing an internal system to track associate work allocation, utilization, experience and performance, and overseeing staffing and career development for junior associates.