LAWYER PROFILE

Mellissa Lai

Asia-Pacific 2026

Johnson Winter Slattery

Ranked in 1 practice area

Foreign Investment

Australia

4 years ranked

About

Provided by Johnson Winter Slattery

Practice Areas

- Foreign Direct Investment

- Mergers & Acquisitions

- Defence

- Merger Arbitrage

Career

Mellissa is a foreign investment and trade lawyer specialising in assisting clients navigate complex rules applicable to their structures and trade flows.

Mellissa has advised on and obtained prior clearance through the FIRB on hundreds of Australian and offshore M&A, real estate and government transactions across defence industry, financial services, technology, renewables and other energy projects.

In addition to advising clients on sanctions, export controls, free trade agreements, procurement and lobbying rules she regularly assists in projects requiring political and stakeholder engagement.

Mellisa is regularly recognised in Chambers & Partners as a leading foreign investment and trade lawyer.

For additional information on Mellissa’s professional background and work highlights, please visit: https://jws.com.au/our-people/mellissa-lai/.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Asia & Pacific

Foreign Investment - Australia

Band 2

Individual Editorial

Mellissa Lai of Johnson Winter Slattery is based in Canberra and advises clients on Australia's foreign investment rules.

Learn more about this team View ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Mellissa Lai is uniquely commercial in her approach to FDI, logistically good at organising things and knowing where the lines are.
Foreign InvestmentChambers Asia & Pacific
Mellissa is excellent in every respect. She is responsive, has a strong command of the Australian regulatory environment and has a commercial mindset throughout the process.
Foreign InvestmentChambers Asia & Pacific