Melissa is a trusted advisor to portfolio managers, investment fund managers and dealers. With nearly 20 years of experience in the investment management and securities industry, she provides practical, business-focused legal and regulatory advice that helps clients navigate complex regulatory requirements while advancing their strategic objectives.
Core Areas of Practice
- Investment Management
- Registrant Regulation & Compliance
Additional Expertise
- Regulatory Policy and Rule Interpretation
- Compliance Program Development and Enhancement
- Regulatory Filings, Applications and Exemptive Relief
- Corporate Governance and Oversight Frameworks
- Policies, Procedures and Internal Controls
- CIRO and CSA Regulatory Matters
- Investment Fund and Registrant Disclosure
- Regulatory Change Management and Implementation
She is recognized for translating regulatory developments into actionable guidance and for developing compliance frameworks, policies, procedures and governance documents that are tailored to each client's business model, operational realities and risk profile. She works closely with clients to design commercially practical solutions.
Her regulatory and policy knowledge combined with exceptional drafting skills help clients develop clear, effective and defensible documentation, including compliance manuals, governance frameworks, client disclosures, policies, procedures, agreements and regulatory submissions. Her advice is informed by continuous monitoring of emerging legal, regulatory and industry developments affecting firms regulated by the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) and the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO).
Melissa regularly publishes legal insights and is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences, seminars and client events, where she provides practical perspectives on evolving regulatory expectations and compliance best practices.
Prior to joining BLG, Melissa was general counsel to a highly respected national portfolio management association, with over 300 member firms collectively managing over $3 trillion in assets. Melissa served as a dedicated legal and regulatory resource for member firms, drafting and developing a wide variety of legal, regulatory and compliance communications and advocacy letters.
Melissa also has experience as legal counsel at the Toronto Stock Exchange where she advised Listed Issuer Services and Compliance & Disclosure on a wide variety of novel legal and policy issues. Melissa also obtained valuable experience in private practice, having practiced corporate and commercial law as well as securities law at national law firms for six years.
