Overview

Melodie serves as outside general corporate and securities counsel to public and private companies at all stages of development.

She has over 33 years of experience in corporate representation including securities regulation, corporate governance, equity and debt capital market transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and business planning.

Melodie is co-chair of Fredrikson’s Public Companies / Capital Markets Group and its Corporate Governance Group. Melodie advises Fortune 500, mid-cap, small-cap and start-up companies in a broad range of industries as well as underwriters, placement agents, and venture firms. She is also active in management at Fredrikson, including her service as President of the Executive Committee, a member of the Board of Directors and Compensation Committee and as chair of the Business Division. She was recently elected to serve as the firm’s president. 

In addition to her work with clients and management responsibilities at Fredrikson, Melodie is active in the corporate governance community. She currently serves on the board of the National Association of Corporate Directors, Minnesota Chapter, and participates in Minnesota Women Corporate Directors. She also teaches Corporate Governance as an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law.

Services

Experience

  • Represented public companies as outside counsel in their general corporate, securities and governance needs and coordination of all legal services.
  • Represented Boards of Directors and its committees on a variety of corporate and governance matters including risk assessment, sustainability, investigations, evaluations, regulatory compliance, and the legal implications of business strategies and decisions.
  • Represented companies and underwriters in all aspects of capital formation, including public and private securities offerings for issuers and underwriters in equity and debt offerings.
  • Represented buyers and sellers in investments and mergers, acquisitions and dispositions of businesses.

Credentials

Education

  • University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 1990
  • University of North Dakota, B.B.A., Management/Accounting, 1987, magna cum laude

Admissions

  • Minnesota, 1990
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, 1991

Recognition

  • Honored Guest, Taste of the Twin Cities, 2024
  • Power Shift 25, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, 2024
  • Notable Woman in Law, Twin Cities Business, 2023
  • Best Lawyers in America, Securities / Capital Markets Law, 2009-2024
  • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business
  • Lawyer of the Year in Minneapolis for Securities/Capital Markets Law, Best Lawyers, 2014
  • Top Women in Finance, Finance & Commerce, 2006

Civic & Professional

Professional Activities

  • American Bar Association
  • Minnesota State Bar Association
  • Hennepin County Bar Association
  • National Association of Corporate Directors
  • Women Corporate Directors
  • St. Thomas School of Law, Adjunct Professor, Corporate Governance
  • State Board of Accountancy, Member, 2005-2010

News & Insights

Publications & Presentations

2024 People to Watch: Who will make business news in Minneapolis/St. Paul this year?" Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, January 4, 2024

New Fredrikson President Prioritizes Change Agenda and Employee Support,” Twin Cities Business, November 6, 2023

"Collaboration is Key for New Fredrikson President,” Minnesota Lawyer, October 11, 2023

Minnesota's Biggest Law Firm Appoints First Woman President in Its 75-Year History,” Star Tribune, September 28, 2023

Featured Guest, “Selected Lessons from The Director’s Handbook -- Situations Commonly Encountered in the Boardroom: Episode 1: Compensation Committee Trends,” To The Extent That… Podcast Series, ABA Business Law Section, February 16, 2021

Contributing Author, “A Field Guide to 101 Situations Commonly Encountered in the Boardroom,” American Bar Association’s Director’s Handbook

Contributing Author, “The Art and Science of Securities Laws,” An Inside the Minds series

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