A seasoned defense attorney known for her creative case analysis, strategic use of the law to drive results, and tireless client advocacy, Melinda represents individuals, companies, and organizations at all stages of criminal proceedings and related civil litigation. For nearly three decades she has protected client interests in high-stakes federal, state and international investigations, enforcement actions, trials and appeals, and deftly navigated complex, sensitive, and high-profile matters both in and out of the courtroom.
Melinda possesses a rare combination of federal criminal defense experience, firsthand knowledge of the financial industry, and global agility that uniquely positions her to represent companies and individuals facing all types of government scrutiny. After mastering Mandarin Chinese and completing two federal clerkships, Melinda began her legal career as an assistant federal public defender in Texas handling felony trials and appeals involving offenses ranging from fraud and firearms to drugs and immigration. She entered private practice at a prominent criminal defense firm in New York City and later became a partner at a premier litigation boutique focusing on white collar criminal defense and complex civil litigation. For several years Melinda led her own criminal defense firm before transitioning to in-house counsel at a multi-billion-dollar SEC-registered investment adviser where she established a comprehensive program to mitigate insider trading risk, handled regulatory inquiries, and advised on countless internal matters including anti-money laundering, privacy, and cybersecurity.
Melinda’s current practice encompasses the full spectrum of white collar matters including insider trading, securities fraud, money laundering, bribery, tax fraud, sanctions violations, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, online gaming, and forfeiture, as well as general criminal matters such as RICO, terrorism, treason, and sexual misconduct. She has conducted internal investigations, defended related civil litigation, and undertaken overseas investigation and litigation. Melinda consistently maintains a client-centered approach grounded in mastery of the client’s full circumstances. That understanding is central to her ability to obtain outstanding results, whether through behind-the-scenes negotiation, pretrial motion practice, trial, or sentencing advocacy.
Melinda graduated with distinction from Stanford Law School and holds an A.B. summa cum laude from Princeton University. She has been elected by her peers to serve on the Board of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, where she has also chaired several committees. Recognized by Super Lawyers, New York Magazine, and Martindale Hubbell for her excellence in white collar defense, Melinda is a frequent lecturer on legal ethics, trial advocacy and substantive aspects of criminal law.