Melissa Hansel, a native of Atlanta, relocated to Boston to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in Marketing from the Sloan School of Management, alongside minors in Spanish and Applied International Studies.

 

Melissa's first exposure to law came through the MIT Technology Licensing Office, where she worked on patenting inventions and contract law. She then gained experience in Spain, working in the Intellectual Property Department at Gomez-Acebo y Pombo in Madrid. There, she collaborated with IP attorneys to translate legal documents and create a comprehensive resource database for trade secret protection.

 

Following her time abroad, Melissa joined The Broad Institute, where she managed the legal department’s systems, administration, and a venture mentoring program focused on medical technologies. Melissa later spent a decade in Big Law at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, where she managed the IP Practice Group and led multiple software implementations. She also served as Chief Operating Officer at a regional family and estates law firm, where she oversaw operations, scaled revenue, and expanded the firm’s presence across North and South Carolina.

 

At Antonini & Cohen, Melissa works closely with the Equity Partners to guide the firm’s growth and operations, enhancing efficiency through improved systems and processes. Her goal is to continue to build a collaborative culture throughout the firm and with the firm’s clients. Outside of work, Melissa values spending time with her family and loves the outdoors to camp, hike, or enjoy the beach. She also enjoys Pilates and hot yoga. You may find her sampling new restaurants and coffee shops around Charlotte and Atlanta.