Melissa Bayer Tearney

Practice Areas

Melissa Tearney, co-chair of Choate’s Litigation Department, helps clients ranging from start-ups to global companies – and their high level executives – to successfully navigate the complex and high-stakes challenges of government investigations, internal investigations, False Claims Act litigation, and the development and implementation of effective compliance measures and programs. Melissa’s nearly 30 years of experience includes guiding clients through issues with a range of government agencies including DOJ, HHS-OIG, and the SEC, and state attorneys general. The breadth of her subject matter expertise, particularly as it relates to the life sciences industry, includes research integrity issues and grant management compliance.

Throughout her career, Melissa has established productive working relationships with U.S. Attorneys’ offices across the country, which enable her to bring matters to more efficient conclusions for our clients. And, the insights she shares with clients are based on a thorough understanding of the cross-over between compliance best practices and enforcement processes.

Professional Memberships

Member of Choate’s Pro Bono Committee and Diversity and Inclusion

Committees;

Member of Choate’s Executive Committee;

Member of the Boston Women’s Fund Board of Directors;

Board Chair of Hebrew SeniorLife’s Board of Directors;

Past President of Greater Boston Legal Services and member of its Board of

Directors and Executive Committee;

Member of Camp Bauercrest’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee;

Former Trustee of Thayer Academy and current Co-Chair of its Capital

Campaign;

Member of the Boston Bar Association;

Member of the Massachusetts Bar Association;

Member of the Women’s Bar Association;

Member of Phi Beta Kappa