Photo by Mary Noble Ours
Melinda A. Sossamon
Melinda A. Sossamon
Partner
(202) 973-2682
msossamon@manning-sossamon.com
Practice Focus
Ms. Sossamon is the firm’s Managing Partner and heads our Corporate and Commercial practice. Ms. Sossamon represents entrepreneurial ventures, well-established businesses, and individuals in all areas of business, transactional, and contract law. She also advises the legal departments of several large corporations on operational issues. Ms. Sossamon represents clients in a variety of industries, including technology, e-commerce, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, media and entertainment, retail, and restaurant and professional services.
Prior to founding Manning Sossamon, Ms. Sossamon practiced corporate and securities law at Hogan and Hartson LLP, Washington DC’s largest international law firm. She is often a featured panel speaker on raising capital, entrepreneurship, and other business issues. Currently, Ms. Sossamon is co-authoring a book with her law partner, Christopher C. S. Manning, which will provide guidance to small businesses on how to avoid and manage litigation.
Representative Matters
- Negotiated $15 million IT outsourcing agreement on behalf of publicly traded biotechnology company.
- Developed and executed equity restructuring plan with components of private placement, investor buyout and issuance of employee stock options and restricted stock.
- Structured and documented private placement with multi-state investors and coordinated and completed state and federal securities filings with respect to same.
- Drafted and negotiated executive employment agreement with principal private equity investor for portfolio company leveraged buyout.
- Provided general counsel and strategic planning services to private businesses from their initial organization through maturity, including formation, venture and strategic financings, key contractual relationships, growth transactions and liquidity events.
- Developed and implemented intellectual property strategy including appropriate protective measures, patent prosecution and technology licensing.
Education
- JD, Georgetown University Law Center
- BA, University of Oklahoma, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa