Melissa J. Oka

Melissa Oka also assists companies with the New Markets Tax Credit and Opportunity Zones and with opportunities in the hotel and hospitality sector.

As counsel to numerous recipients of new markets tax credits, both regional and national, Melissa has advised allocatees of federal and state new markets tax credits, qualified active low-income community businesses and investors on all aspects of the new markets tax credit program.

Melissa has also advised both owners and operators of business and luxury class hotels in connection with the disposition, acquisition, development, financing, ownership and management of their hotels and resorts, and has experience representing clients in secured and unsecured revolving credit and term loan facilities, senior and subordinated debt financings, mezzanine loans and defeasances. Her securitization experience includes securitizations of trade receivables, auto and equipment loan and leases, commercial mortgage loans, student loan and other asset classes.

In partnership with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, Melissa has served as a court-appointed guardian ad litem and has assisted the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services in providing free legal services to survivors of human trafficking who face legal problems stemming from their exploitation.