Melissa Palo
Memphis,TN
Summary
In-house counsel with extensive expertise in commercial collections, complex agreements, and risk mitigation. Successfully negotiates high-value contracts and aligns legal strategies with business objectives to enhance operational efficiency and reduce risk.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Corporate Counsel
Vital Records Control (VRC)
01.2020 - Current
- Lead commercial debt recovery efforts across North America, including pre-litigation strategy and dispute resolution.
- Negotiate settlements, and draft demand letters, and releases to maximize recovery while minimizing legal risk.
- Managed outside counsel selection, budgeting, performance evaluation, and litigation oversight to align legal strategies with business objectives.
- Advise senior leadership on legal risk, settlement strategy, and recovery forecasting.
- Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated commercial agreements, including MSAs, NDAs, SOWs, POs, and BAAs to safeguard company interests and enhance contractual relationships.
- Advise business stakeholders on contractual risk exposure and mitigation strategies.
- Support litigation preparation through discovery coordination, pleadings review, and active participation in mediations and hearings to ensure effective case management.
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations governing debt collection practices.
- Oversee bankruptcy matters, including claim filings and coordination of pre- and post-petition activities.
- Supervise legal staff to enhance operational efficiency through process improvements and best practices.
Contract Attorney
Trustpoint.One
01.2020 - 03.2020
- Conducted large-scale document review using Relativity in support of complex litigation matters.
Attorney
Hall & Associates
Madison, TN
08.2019 - 11.2019
- Represented residential and commercial landlords in Chapter 7, 11, and 13 bankruptcy proceedings.
- Managed state court litigation to secure possession and monetary judgments.
- Reorganized and improved the firm's bankruptcy practice to better align with client objectives.
Administrative Attorney & Income Partner, Bankruptcy Department
Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP
01.2013 - 01.2019
- Led legal operations for governmental collections and bankruptcy matters across multiple jurisdictions.
- Managed and mentored staff, driving performance, compliance, and professional development.
- Represented governmental entities in Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 proceedings in federal courts nationwide.
- Oversaw property tax litigation, including high-volume chancery court filings and tax sales.
- Directed office operations, including budgeting, HR functions, and client relationship management.
- Collaborated with senior leadership and municipal clients, serving as primary liaison to the City of Memphis.
- Reviewed complex property and title documentation to support foreclosure actions and tax enforcement.
- Partnered with litigation teams to evaluate and approve new cases and pleadings.
- Developed and implemented taxpayer assistance initiatives to resolve outstanding liabilities.
Associate Attorney
Wilson & Associates, PLLC
01.2003 - 01.2006
- Served as lead litigator for mortgage creditor clients in state and bankruptcy courts.
- Managed high-volume caseload, including drafting, filing, and arguing motions.
- Negotiated settlements and represented clients in contested proceedings.
Partner
Law Office of Barbara R. Loevy
01.1997 - 01.2002
- Represented clients in federal and state courts and administrative hearings, ensuring effective advocacy and legal support.
- Drafted pleadings and advised clients while managing case strategy from intake through resolution, streamlining processes for efficient case handling.
- Led litigation in bankruptcy, Social Security, and workers' compensation matters, achieving favorable outcomes for clients.
Education
Juris Doctorate -
Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
Memphis, TNBachelor of Arts - History
University of Memphis
Memphis, TNSkills
- Contract negotiation
- Litigation management
- Dispute resolution
- Regulatory compliance
- Risk mitigation
- Outside counsel management
- Collections management
- Legal operations
- Outside counsel management
- Cross-functional leadership
- Regulatory compliance
Education And Licensure
- Juris Doctorate, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Memphis, TN
- Bachelor of Arts in History, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
- Tennessee Bar & U.S. District Court of Western District of Tennessee Admission, 01/01/96, Present
- Texas Bar & U.S. District Court of Northern Texas & Eastern Texas Admission, 01/01/14, Present
- Maine Bar Admission, 01/01/17, Present
Timeline
Senior Corporate Counsel
Vital Records Control (VRC)
01.2020 - Current
Contract Attorney
Trustpoint.One
01.2020 - 03.2020
Attorney
Hall & Associates
08.2019 - 11.2019
Administrative Attorney & Income Partner, Bankruptcy Department
Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP
01.2013 - 01.2019
Associate Attorney
Wilson & Associates, PLLC
01.2003 - 01.2006
Partner
Law Office of Barbara R. Loevy
01.1997 - 01.2002
Juris Doctorate -
Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
Bachelor of Arts - History
University of Memphis