Melissa serves as a trusted advisor to clients at all levels of administrative tax controversy, including audits, cases before the IRS Office of Appeals, and investigations by the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility. She also has significant experience handling penalty and international information reporting matters. When an administrative resolution cannot be reached, Melissa is well-equipped to litigate, with experience in the U.S. Tax Court, Court of Federal Claims, and various federal district courts. She also represents clients facing government and third-party subpoenas and investigations, and she frequently advises on voluntary disclosures of prior tax noncompliance.
An actuary by training, Melissa’s scrupulous, detail-oriented approach is coupled with a thorough understanding of how tax affects her clients’ financial affairs. Her background in statistics and the insurance industry has fostered her natural ability to collaborate effectively with technical and forensic experts to achieve the best results for her clients. Melissa also possesses a deep understanding of the regulations and professional standards governing tax practice from her six years as an Assistant General Counsel at a Big Four accounting firm.
Recognized for her in-depth knowledge of tax controversy topics, Melissa frequently speaks on IRS filing requirements, enforcement priorities, penalties, ethics, and the Corporate Transparency Act. She is deeply engaged in the tax community, currently chairing the IRS Advocacy and Relations Committee of the AICPA and serving as Vice Chair for Membership, Diversity, and Inclusion for the ABA Tax Section. Additionally, she is the Regent for the Federal Circuit for the American College of Tax Counsel and a member of the J. Edgar Murdock Inn of Court.
Melissa also serves as an adjunct professor at her alma mater, Georgetown University Law Center, where she will be teaching an upcoming course on Tax Research and Writing.
Outside of her professional life, Melissa is passionate about giving back to her community. She has volunteered her legal expertise for over 15 years with the Children’s Law Center, offering pro bono assistance in custody and abuse/neglect cases and served on the board of the organization for a decade. She is also a board member of the Community Tax Law Project, a legal clinic providing representation to low-income taxpayers in disputes with the IRS and local tax authorities.
Melissa received her J.D. (cum laude) from the Georgetown University Law Center, and her B.S. in Actuarial Science (summa cum laude and valedictorian) from The College of Insurance.
