Melanie Walker

Melanie E. Walker

Partner
Chair, Corporate and Securities Litigation Practice
About

Melanie Walker is a highly accomplished and intellectually rigorous litigator with deep experience in federal securities class actions, stockholder disputes, and complex business litigation arising out of mergers, asset purchase agreements, and other high-stakes corporate transactions. Known for her sharp analytical mind and command of economic and accounting issues, Melanie brings clarity and precision to the most challenging disputes.

With a reputation for strategic thinking and decisive execution, Melanie blends a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach with the tenacity to litigate aggressively when business resolutions are not possible. She is a seasoned trial and appellate advocate, having successfully represented clients in courts across the country and in high-value private arbitrations. Her ability to navigate thorny legal terrain with insight and authority makes her a trusted advisor to clients facing their most critical litigation challenges.

 
Bar admissionsCaliforniaIllinois
CourtsUnited States District Court for the Central District of IllinoisUnited States District Court for the Northern District of CaliforniaUnited States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (including the Trial Bar)United States District Court for the Eastern District of MichiganUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of WisconsinUnited States Court of Appeals for the Second CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for the Third CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for the Sixth CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for the Seventh CircuitUnited States District Court for the District of Colorado

EXPERIENCE

Melanie’s recent experience includes the following:

  • Lead counsel in a private arbitration arising out of asset purchase agreement. Obtained significant victory for claimant and defeated crossclaim for fraud and indemnification
  • Lead trial counsel for a telecommunications company in bench trial in the Northern District of California involving complex GAAP accounting issues and questions of federal preemption. Prevailed at trial and defendant did not appeal
  • Lead counsel in securities class action in the District of Colorado related to merger with electric vehicle manufacturer. Won motion to dismiss and obtained favorable settlement of related actions
  • Defending multiple SPACs and their officers and directors in actions in the Delaware Court of Chancery alleging breaches of fiduciary duties. All cases to date have been resolved following a motion to dismiss or during the very early stages of discovery
  • Defending healthcare company and its officers and directors in adversary proceeding in the Bankruptcy District of Delaware brought by stockholders alleging they were fraudulently induced into entering into merger. Motion to dismiss pending
  • Defending telecommunications company in Delaware Court of Chancery action alleging fraud and breach of contract related to membership interest purchase agreement. Motion to dismiss pending
  • Defending healthcare company and officers and directors in Delaware Court of Chancery action brought by stockholders challenging business combination agreement. Motion to dismiss pending
  • Defending co-founder and majority shareholder in online used car retailer in securities class action in the District of Arizona. Obtained dismissal with prejudice of Rule 10b-5 claims
  • Lead counsel for a California public benefit corporation in multiple high profile cases in state and federal court in California. The plaintiff voluntarily dismissed federal action and state court actions settled while motions to dismiss were pending
  • Lead counsel for a structured debt and equity fund in a confidential arbitration proceeding related to an earnout adjustment. Achieved a favorable settlement after prevailing on a key contract interpretation issue
  • Lead counsel to the audit committee of a public company charged with conducting an expedited, cross-border internal investigation related to revenue accounting. Following the internal investigation, no action was taken by the SEC or other regulators
  • Lead counsel for a foreign company in confidential purchase price adjustment dispute following the sale of certain subsidiaries to a US private investment firm

Awards

The Legal 500 United States

  • Recommended, M&A Litigation: Defense, (2023 – 2025)
  • Recommended, Securities Litigation – Defense, (2023 – 2025)
Additional Recognitions
  • Leading Commercial Litigator, Daily Journal, (2024)
Education
  • J.D., University of Chicago Law School
    with honors
  • B.A., Reed College
    Phi Beta Kappa

Seminars

Prior Experience

  • Clerkship, Milton I. Shadur, US District Court, North District of Illinois, (2000 – 2001)

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