Melanie Riley

Career

Bell Yard founder, Melanie Riley, has over 20 years’ experience in the field of legal, public affairs and corporate communications. Prior to setting up her own agency, she worked in the communications team at investment bank Nomura, Ludgate Communications and public affairs agency, Cicero.

Melanie has one of the longest track-records of any litigation PR practitioner in the UK and is well-regarded by solicitors and Counsel alike. She has worked on complex financial cases through to criminal matters involving deeply-affecting emotional circumstances. Over the years Melanie has helped guide HNW individuals, companies, law firms, financial institutions, charities, family-run businesses, celebrities and embattled employees through the challenging process of being in the public eye during times of dispute.

Melanie is trusted for her astute counsel and direct approach. She is unafraid to turn down assignments where she considers the objective unwise or undeliverable, however she is deeply passionate about those cases she does take on. With an innate understanding of the often conflicting demands of litigator and media, she excels at finding a middle ground.

Melanie has a special interest in extradition having spearheaded a UK-based campaign to highlight the inequality of the UK/US extradition regime.