Overview
Brand Management Counsel
Melissa also helps companies develop, manage and monetize their domestic and global trademark portfolios. She assists with the clearance, selection, acquisition, protection, licensing, and management of domestic and international trademarks for clients of all sizes. She creates and implements trademark enforcement programs and handles domain name and social media disputes. Melissa's clients range from cultural institutions to food and beverage companies.
Advertising and Promotions
Melissa advises clients in connection with their marketing campaigns to ensure legal compliance and avoid competitive challenges. She reviews advertising materials in both traditional and digital media, and drafts and negotiates sponsorship agreements, license agreements and influencer agreements. Melissa also has extensive experience structuring sweepstakes, contests, promotions and loyalty programs.
Copyright and Content Licensing
In addition to her experience in branding and advertising matters, Melissa also works with clients to secure content licenses for music, film and digital content. She evaluates protection strategies for copyrighted works, and advises clients on right of publicity matters and the proper use of third-party materials.
Personal Interests
Melissa is a former competitive figure skater and is now a national judge for U.S. Figure Skating. She is an avid reader of fiction.
Related Industries
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Illinois
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Education
Chicago-Kent College of Law
J.D. (2001)
Northwestern University
B.A. (1997)
Insights & Events
Latest
Insights
Other Perspectives
Firm Blog Contributions
- TCAM Today – uncomplicated, practical, day-to-day advice about how to build, protect or monetize a brand
Leadership & Community
Pro Bono
Melissa volunteers with Lawyers for the Creative Arts, providing pro bono legal services for the arts community in and around Chicago.
Professional Associations
- International Trademark Association
- Association of National Advertisers
Civic Activities
- U.S. Figure Skating, Ethics and Professional Standards Committee — National Chair
- U.S. Figure Skating — Former Regional Vice Chair for Judges
- WITS (Working in the Schools) — Volunteer Tutor for Chicago Public Schools
- Lawyers in the Classroom — Volunteer Instructor for Chicago Public Schools
Honors
- World Trademark Review 1000 — World’s Leading Trademark Professionals (Illinois), 2023-24
- Legal 500 — “Trademarks: Non-Contentious,” 2019
- Leading Lawyers — Illinois Emerging Lawyer, 2015
- Illinois Super Lawyers — Rising Star, 2010-11, 2015