Melissa M. Root

Career

When a company faces financial distress, Melissa Root turns a bankruptcy or restructuring into an opportunity. A fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, she helps creditors, debtors, trustees, estate fiduciaries, and investors craft the right approach to achieve their goals whether through aggressive litigation or strategic negotiations. Melissa also represents clients in out-of-court workouts and restructurings, and in acquisitions. She serves as a Co-Chair of the firm’s Bankruptcy and Restructuring Practice.

Equal parts litigator and transactional lawyer, Melissa brings the full force of her skill to help clients re-evaluate their objectives and emerge from challenging situations with a fresh start. Clients in crisis trust her with sensitive bankruptcy cases involving mass torts, fraud, or financial mismanagement. In these high-stakes matters, her collaborative approach transforms the outcome not just for her client, but for other impacted parties. Melissa also represents clients in bankruptcy-related appellate matters.

Melissa helps creditors and other stakeholders regain their footing in bankruptcy cases and reach a favorable outcome. She also has a strong track record of helping official committees withstand difficult and drawn-out company or government restructurings and maximize value. Clients experiencing financial distress or crises also look to Melissa to guide them through a chapter 11 case or out-of-court restructuring. With her counsel, investors in distressed companies enter into deals with a clearer picture of the risks and nuances of bankruptcy-related transactions.

Melissa maintains an active pro bono practice representing clients in bankruptcy cases and in other matters. She is also active in the community and the bar and a frequent speaker on a variety of restructuring and bankruptcy topics, as well as matters relating to recruiting, hiring, and diversity and inclusion.