Melissa Hubbard

As the former general counsel of several investment banking, investment and financial advisory, and broker-dealer firms, as well as an independent director (and chair of the audit and compliance committees) of a publicly-held entertainment and technology company, Melissa Hubbard has hands-on transactional expertise in mergers and acquisitions, financings, and public and private securities offerings in a broad range of industries including mining, energy, municipal, banking, healthcare, franchise, telecommunications, technology and entertainment. She has counseled numerous private equity and venture capital groups, as well as executives, regarding all aspects of securities compliance and disclosure issues, including executive compensation, corporate governance, internal investigations, licensing, and Sarbanes Oxley and Dodd-Frank Act compliance.

In addition, for over 25 years she has actively served as an arbitrator and mediator for matters administered by the American Arbitration Association and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and has received a variety of appointments by the FCC and the FTC to special arbitration panels. She has also represented broker-dealers and business owners in arbitration and mediation hearings, and served as an expert witness on numerous occasions relating to securities laws and regulations and investment banking industry practices.

Melissa is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, was recognized as Outstanding Alumni in Private Practice by the University of Colorado Law School Alumni Board, and is a Stanford University Alumni Council interviewer of local high school students applying to her alma mater. She is a Colorado Bar Foundation Fellow and has received the Colorado Supreme Court Pro Bono Achievement Award for the past eight years. She is a current member and past chair of the CBA Communication and Technology subsection and organizes networking and nonprofit events for the Senior Women’s Corporate Counsel group.

Melissa’s community service commitment is extensive. She currently serves on the Board of the Colorado Open Golf Foundation and mentors young golfers in the First Tee Program at Green Valley Ranch. She is also a scout leader, an active volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, and the former President of her neighborhood HOA. Melissa is a past chair of the CU Law School Alumni Foundation and a member of the Young American’s Bank Board, the Legal Aid Foundation, and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Complex Foundation.

Specific Areas of Practice

• Business and Corporate
• Securities/Finance/Municipal
• Telecommunications/Technology
• Franchise/Licensing/Distribution Agreements
• Employment Contracts
• Non-profits/Foundations
• HOA Policies ad Covenants
• Church and School Abuse Prevention and Response Policies

Significant Representations

• IPO’s, Private Placements, Tender Offers and Going Private Transactions
• M&A, asset sales/purchases, spin-offs
• Corporate Governance Policies and Procedures
• Audit and Compliance Committees and Internal Investigations
• Executive Compensation Programs
• Broker-Dealers, Investment Advisors
• Engagement Agreements and Auction Bidding Processes for Investment Banks
• Franchisors and Franchisees
• Telecommunications and Technology Companies
• Oil, gas, mining and clean energy
• Employment Handbooks; policies and training
• Alternative Dispute Resolution; arbitrations and mediations