Melinda Meade Meyers Email & Phone Number

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Melinda's practice focuses on federal regulatory law and policy as they pertain to natural resources, public lands, and Native communities. She represents Alaska Native corporations, concessioners, and others on regulatory compliance matters, corporate governance, and strategic business decisions related to land use, permitting, and economic development.Melinda’s expertise includes national park concessions, wildlife and animal law, and litigation. She has experience advocating for clients before various federal courts, Congress, and administrative agencies in matters involving the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, Endangered Species Act, Animal Welfare Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and other natural resources statutes.Melinda also counsels Alaska Native corporations and Tribes on federal small business contracting and participation in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s business development programs, such as the 8(a) and HUBZone Programs. She helps clients navigate the complexities of program compliance and advises Native-owned firms on legislative and regulatory changes impacting their businesses.

Melinda serves as the Executive Director of the National Park Hospitality Association (NPHA), the national trade association of the businesses that provide lodging, food services, gifts and souvenirs, equipment rentals, transportation, and other visitor services in the National Park System. Concessioners have played a key role in creating lasting national park memories for more than 130 years. Concessioners operate in more than 100 national park units with combined sales exceeding $1.5 billion annually and $125+ million in franchise and related fees paid to the National Park Service each year. The in-park concessioner workforce of more than 20,000 persons assists visitors an estimated 100 million times annually. More information on NPHA and on national park concessioners can be found at www.parkpartners.org.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Practice at Alaska-based law firm focused on government contracts law, small business development, and natural resources law. • Advised clients on regulatory compliance matters and strategic business decisions related to permitting and government contracting.• Drafted, reviewed, and revised contracts with, and administrative applications to, various federal and state agencies, including the National Park Service, Regulatory Commission of Alaska, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and Small Business Administration.• Advised Alaska Native corporations on small business development issues, the 8(a) Program, corporate governance, and other regulatory compliance issues.• Analyzed implications of proposed and final federal legislation and administrative rulemakings for clients’ business interests, proposed recommendations for responding to federal policy initiatives, and drafted agency comments for clients.• Drafted a successful motion for summary judgment for aquarium client sued by activist organizations in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.• Represented hunting and snowmobiler groups in federal litigation over access to public lands.

• Performed legal research and wrote legal memoranda on a variety of diverse legal issues, including regulatory compliance, Alaska Native and tribal law, and natural resource, energy, and environmental law.• Prepared speeches, white papers, and presentation materials for attorneys presenting at Small Business Administration national conferences.• Attended congressional hearings and provided legal analysis of testimony for clients.

George Mason Law Review, Symposium Editor (2012-2013)Student Bar Association, Vice President of Day Program (2012-2013), Vice President of Social Affairs (2011-2012)Moot Court Board, Associate Justice (2011-2013)

• Drafted and published news releases and newsletters on organization activities for 1000+ members, government partners, and the general public for two non-profit organizations. • Served as national coordinator for National Get Outdoors Day partnership with U.S. Forest Service. Developed event planning materials for 90 site locations, led bimonthly conference calls for site managers, distributed product donations from national sponsors to sites, and served as site manager for local D.C. event.• Coordinated biannual meetings. Assisted in program creation, invited high-profile speakers, developed meeting books, managed event logistics, and wrote meeting report.• Organized monthly Recreation Exchange luncheons. Invited leaders in national recreation policy as guest speakers, coordinated event logistics, and wrote final report.• Managed organizations’ websites through frequent updates of articles, event calendars, and image galleries.• Attended and reported on congressional hearings and briefings.• Served as organization liaison to high-profile leaders including cabinet members, U.S. senators and representatives, federal agency leaders, and top executives of national hospitality corporations.

• Served as national coordinator for six recreation forums across the country in partnershipwith U.S. Forest Service. Organized speaker panels, traveled to forums to serve as onsitecoordinator, and assisted in writing national report.• Achieved proclamations of Great Outdoors Month from President and state governors.• Organized cabinet-level Great Outdoors Week events for American RecreationCoalition’s national membership in Washington.• Served as onsite coordinator of National Get Outdoors Day launch at Super Bowl XLII.

Doctor Of Law (J.D.), Law

Activities and Societies: Law Review, Moot Court Board, Student Bar Association Vice President of Day Program

B.A., Government, Focus In Political Theory, Minor In International Relations

Activities and Societies: Senior Class Council, Zinck's Senior Social Club Co-Chair, Cornell Concert Commission, Cornell University.