Professional Biography
Image of Melissa Oka

Melissa J. Oka Senior Counsel

  • Chicago

    D +1.312.324.8483

    F +1.312.324.9483

    Chicago

    110 North Wacker Drive, 34th Floor

    Chicago, IL 60606

    +1.312.324.8483

    MOka@perkinscoie.com

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Overview

Melissa Oka focuses her practice in commercial finance transactions for public and closely held companies, banks and other financial institutions and private equity funds. She also assists companies with the New Markets Tax Credit and Opportunity Zones and with opportunities in the hotel and hospitality sector.

As counsel to numerous recipients of new markets tax credits, both regional and national, Melissa has advised allocatees of federal and state new markets tax credits, qualified active low-income community businesses and investors on all aspects of the new markets tax credit program.

Melissa has also advised both owners and operators of business and luxury class hotels in connection with the disposition, acquisition, development, financing, ownership and management of their hotels and resorts, and has experience representing clients in secured and unsecured revolving credit and term loan facilities, senior and subordinated debt financings, mezzanine loans and defeasances. Her securitization experience includes securitizations of trade receivables, auto and equipment loan and leases, commercial mortgage loans, student loan and other asset classes.

In partnership with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, Melissa has served as a court-appointed guardian ad litem and has assisted the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services in providing free legal services to survivors of human trafficking who face legal problems stemming from their exploitation.

Related Employment

  • Mayer Brown LLP, Chicago, IL, Summer Associate, 2006; Associate, 2007 - 2010
  • Studio Legale Commerciale Bovesi Cartwright Pescatore, Imola, Italy, Summer Intern, 2005

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Bar and Court Admissions

  • Illinois

Education

  • Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D., Phi Delta Phi Honor Society, 2007, Articles Editor, Vanderbilt Law Review
  • University of Pennsylvania, B.A., Italian, summa cum laude, 2002

Languages

  • Italian