Practice Areas
Education
- University of Cincinnati College of Law, J.D.,1984, Order of the Coif
The University of Cincinnati Law Review, Research Editor, 1983-1984 - DePauw University, B.A., 1981, magna cum laude
Bar & Court Admissions
Mel is a partner in the Vorys Cincinnati office where he is a member of the finance, energy and real estate group. His general business practice has an emphasis in finance, and he has represented many national and regional asset-based, structured finance and mezzanine lenders. His practice also includes franchising, acquisitions, sales of companies, multi-borrower, multi-jurisdiction (cross-border) transactions, acquisition financing, asset sales out of bankruptcy, multi-lender (club) deals, capital expenditure financing, negotiating subordinated debt and preferred stock arrangements with institutional providers of mezzanine capital, equipment leasing, workouts and restructurings.
Mel is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, and the Cincinnati Bar Association.
Mel received his J.D. from the University of Cincinnati, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and was the research editor of The Cincinnati Law Review. Mel received his B.A. magna cum laude from DePauw University.
In between his tenure at Vorys, Mel spent two years as in-house general counsel to a multi-state franchisor in the restaurant industry.
Professional and Community Activities
- A Kid Again (formerly Adventures for Wish Kids), Cincinnati Advisory Board Member, 2003-2011
- Annunciation Church, Finance Council, 1995-2005, 2007-2009; Parish Council, 2007-2009; St. Vincent De Paul Society 2009-present; Tutor, Hays-Porter Elementary, 2013-present
- The New School, Treasurer, President, and Trustee, 1995-2003
Honors & Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America, Cincinnati Banking and Finance Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2016
- The Best Lawyers in America, Banking and Finance Law, 2003-2021
- The Best Lawyers in America, Franchise Law, 2006-2021
- The Best Lawyers in America, Financial Institutions and Transactions Law, 2005-2007
- Ohio Super Lawyers, Banking, 2004-2013
- Chambers and Partners, Leading Lawyer in Banking and Finance, 2003-2020
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated
News
- 8/20/2020One hundred and twelve lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America® 2021 edition. In addition, 26 Vorys attorneys were named to the inaugural Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch” list.
- 4/23/2020Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease is pleased to announce that 30 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized among the leading practitioners in the country in the 2020 edition of Chambers USA.
- 8/15/2019One hundred and thirteen lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2020.
- 4/26/2019Vorys announced that 30 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized among the leading practitioners in the country in the 2019 edition of Chambers USA.
- 2/4/2019Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP is proud to announce 10 attorneys from the Cincinnati office have been named “2019 Leading Lawyers” by Cincy Magazine.
- 8/15/2018One hundred and thirteen lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2019.
- 5/4/2018Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease is pleased to announce that 32 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized among the leading practitioners in the country in the 2018 edition of Chambers USA.
- 8/17/2017One hundred and eight lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2018.
- 5/26/2017Vorys announced that 30 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized among the leading practitioners in the country in the 2017 edition of Chambers USA.
- 8/15/2016One-hundred and eleven lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2017.
- 5/27/2016Vorys announced that 36 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized among the leading practitioners in the country in the 2016 edition of Chambers USA.
- 8/17/2015One-hundred and eighteen lawyers from Vorys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2016.
- 8/17/2015Sixteen Vorys attorneys have been named 2016 Lawyers of the Year by Best Lawyers.
- 5/19/2015Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease is pleased to announce that 39 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized among the leading practitioners in the country in the 2015 edition of Chambers USA.
- 8/18/2014One-hundred and ten lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2015.
- 5/23/2014Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease is pleased to announce that 39 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized among the leading practitioners in the country in the 2014 edition of Chambers USA.
- 8/14/2013One hundred and eleven lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2014.
- 5/24/2013Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease is pleased to announce that 39 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized among the leading practitioners in the country in the 2013 edition of Chambers USA. Chambers USA conducts in-depth research and ranks the leading firms and attorneys in an extensive range of practice areas throughout America.
- 12/17/2012Seventy-Seven attorneys from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease have been named 2013 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.
- 8/23/2012One hundred and twenty-six lawyers from Vorys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2013.
- 6/7/2012Vorys announced that 35 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized among the leading practitioners in the country in the 2012 edition of Chambers USA.
- 12/16/2011
- 9/6/2011
- 6/10/2011
- 3/17/2011
- 8/9/2010
- 6/24/2010
- 4/6/2010
- 12/22/2009
- 8/4/2009
- 3/4/2009
- 12/29/2008
- 10/29/2008
- 3/2008
- 9/19/2007
- 3/19/2007
Insights
- 12/4/2018On October 31, 2018, the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of the Treasury released proposed regulations under Section 956 of the Internal Revenue Code (Proposed Regulations) that, for certain U.S. corporate shareholders, generally undo the “deemed dividend” rules that have applied to foreign corporate subsidiaries for decades.