Melissa Reynolds O'Dea
Melissa Reynolds O'Dea
Experience
Melissa brings 25 years of experience and insight to Kozak & Gayer, focusing on compliance, employment, contracts, licensing, and other regulatory issues. Melissa’s practice involves a comprehensive client-centered approach to business law and administrative law, primarily in health care and other heavily regulated industries. Melissa’s litigation experience gives her valuable insight, allowing her to proactively help people avoid future problems and innovatively solve their disputes. According to her clients, Melissa is accessible, flexible, straightforward, and honest in her thinking and communication. As a former litigator, regulator, and entrepreneur, she perceives issues from different angles and understands the nuances of business.
Melissa earned her law degree from the University of Maine School of Law. She worked for a Bangor law firm, Gross, Minsky, Mogul & Singal, before joining the Maine Attorney General’s Office, where she served the people of Maine for twelve years. While there, Melissa chaired the national working group to enforce the public health provisions of the landmark Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement against Big Tobacco. She was awarded for her outstanding leadership by the National Association of Attorneys General, receiving the Laurie Loveland Award in 2004, and by the University of Maine, receiving the prestigious Spirit of Maine Award in 2006. In 2007 she had the great honor to appear before the Supreme Court of the United States in Rowe v. New Hampshire Motor Transport Association to defend a Maine statute that regulated the delivery of tobacco to minors.
In 2010 Melissa left the Attorney General’s Office to found her own law firm and return to private practice. Now, she brings her experience – and her incredible spirit – to Kozak & Gayer.
Practice Specialties
-
Business Matters, including Formations
-
Contract Drafting, Review and Negotiation
-
Compliance and Regulatory Matters, including HIPAA and Data Privacy
-
Employment Law
-
Administrative Matters
-
Real Estate Matters
Personal Interests
Melissa is a tenth-generation Mainer. She enjoys traveling, camping, cooking, reading, kickboxing, genealogy, spending time with her family and dogs, and discovering local gin distilleries.
Education
Melissa holds a JD from the University of Maine School of Law (1996) and a BA, Magna Cum Laude with Presidential Honors, in International Affairs from the University of Maine (1993).
Bar Admissions
Melissa is admitted to practice law in the State of Maine and the State of Colorado. She is also admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States, the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and the US District Court for both the District of Maine and DC Circuit.
Memberships
Melissa is a member of the Maine State Bar Association and the Colorado Bar Association.