Melanie V. Woodward

Clients appreciate Melanie’s experience in all stages of litigation, including initial fact investigation, discovery, depositions, dispositive motions, fact and expert witness preparation, and trial.

Notable Experience and Client Impact

Complex Commercial Litigation Experience

• Key member of the Nutter trial team that received a jury verdict in favor of a Big Four accounting firm
• Successfully defended food and beverage client in arbitration of breach of contract claims brought by a distributor

Securities Enforcement and Litigation Experience

• Key member of a team representing former auditors of a large accounting firm in PCAOB investigation
• Key member of team that defended founder of private equity firm in SEC insider trading investigation relating to trading by spouse in firm portfolio companies
• Represented auditor from Big Four accounting firm in testimony before the SEC

Labor and Employment Experience

• Successfully defended an employer in a week-long jury trial involving employment discrimination claims, resulting in a complete defense verdict
• Successfully argued motion for summary judgment on behalf of a credit union defending against claims under the Massachusetts Wage Act seeking payment of commissions and bonuses
• Advised a client on its employee incentive compensation plans and corresponding impacts on overtime requirements, ERISA, and Section 409A of the tax code pertaining to deferred compensation

Melanie is committed to the firm’s proud legacy of pro bono representation. She successfully represented a former prisoner pursuing a civil rights action before the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. She has represented a special needs student for many years, including securing the student a placement at a private school better suited to meet the student’s educational needs. Melanie also represented a veterans’ organization defending against a First Amendment challenge to a VA Hospital display honoring prisoners of war. Melanie is also actively involved in immigration pro bono work, including applying for humanitarian parole on behalf a family fleeing Afghanistan and securing lawful permanent residency for minors who had been neglected and abandoned in their home countries. Melanie was recognized for her efforts in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly's Pro Bono Spotlight.

Melanie is also a member of the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association.

In addition to her summer associate work at Nutter, her professional experience includes serving as a legal extern for the Honorable LeRoy F. Millette of the Supreme Court of Virginia, a legal intern at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Child Protection Unit in Boston, and an intern at the Office of Senator John Kerry in Boston and Washington, D.C.

During law school, Melanie served as senior articles editor for the William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal and as a member of the National Trial Team.