• Kentucky, 2009

• University of Notre Dame Law School, J.D., 2009, cum laude
• Journal of Law, Ethics and Public Policy
  
• Thomas J. White Scholar
  
• Solicitations Editor, 2008-2009
  
• Staff Member, 2007-2008
• Vanderbilt University, B.A., 2006, magna cum laude

Melissa is in the tax, benefits, and entrepreneurial services practice group. Her practice focuses on employee benefits plans.

Melissa concentrates a significant portion of her practice on health and welfare plans, including health plans, flexible benefit plans, and wellness programs. She works with employers on issues relating to compliance with ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (health care reform), HIPAA, and COBRA.  Melissa has worked extensively with employers on a variety of health care reform issues, including the new notice requirements, internal and external claims and appeals procedures, amending cafeteria plans for changes to over-the-counter medication reimbursement requirements, and maintenance of grandfathered plan status.  Melissa's experience also includes reviewing third-party administrative services agreements, stop-loss insurance documents, and business associate agreements.

Additionally, Melissa advises sponsors of federal health care programs, including the Medicare managed care (Medicare Advantage) program, the Medicare prescription drug benefit (Medicare Part D) program, and the Medicaid program, on legislative and regulatory developments and compliance matters.

Melissa also advises clients on issues regarding retirement plans, including 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, defined benefit pension plans, ESOPs, and 457 plans. Her experience includes preparing and amending plan documents, summary plan descriptions, summaries of material modifications, and administrative forms; correcting operational errors of qualified retirement plans (including corrections under the Voluntary Compliance Program (VCP)); submitting plans for favorable determination letters; and terminating plans. 

• Louisville Employee Benefits Council (Program Committee Member)
• Young Professionals Association of Louisville
• Louisville Bar Association
• Kentucky Bar Association
• American Bar Association

• Junior League of Louisville, Active Member

"Health Care Reform--Where Have We Been?  Where Are We Going?" Co-presenter, Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives HR Conference, April, 19 2012. 

“Retirement and Fringe Benefit Planning” chapter in Limited Liability Companies in Kentucky Handbook, 3d ed., published by the University of Kentucky Office of Continuing Legal Education (co-authored with Debbie Reiss Hardesty)

"Health Care Reform—What's Next?" Co-presenter, 23rd Annual Kentucky Human Resources Update, June 8, 2011.

"Health Care Reform—Where Do We Go from Here?" Co-presenter, Midwest KY SHRM, 2010 Leadership Seminar, September 16, 2010.