Melissa J. Oka

Melissa Oka 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 with the disposition, acquisition, development, financing, ownership, and management of their hotels and resorts. She represents 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 loans and leases, commercial mortgage loans, student loans, and other asset classes.

Melissa has partnered with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, and served as a court-appointed guardian ad litem. She has also 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.