Melissa’s practice focuses primarily on the investment management industry, advising managers on the structuring, formation and operation of their alternative investment products, including hedge funds, credit funds and hybrid funds, in a variety of jurisdictions, both onshore and offshore.

Melissa drafts and negotiates the terms of documents related to the formation and operation of investment funds, including:

• Offering documents
• Operating agreements
• Seed agreements
• Administrative agreements
• “Upper tier” management agreements
• Side letters.

She also provides advice on:

• Spin-outs and seed capital arrangements
• “Upper tier” structuring
• Investment manager restructurings.

Prior to joining Akin, Melissa trained at a large London-based international law firm and spent time on secondment in both New York and Tokyo.