Melanie Tuttle practices primarily in the areas of business and employment law, and has a special interest in corporate governance for both for-profit and not-for-profit businesses. Her business law practice runs the gamut from small start-ups to long-established businesses.
Although her employment practice typically involves representation of employers, Ms. Tuttle also works with executives in employment agreement negotiations and executive compensation matters. She has represented plaintiffs in employment litigation and understands both sides of employment disputes.
Ms. Tuttle’s acquisition of two Wirehaired Pointing Griffons has taken her into the world of dog shows and spurred an interest in the law of dogs, particularly contracts surrounding their purchase, breeding and co-ownership. She has also worked with dog clubs recognized by The American Kennel Club® on corporate governance and other issues, including formation and achieving tax-exempt status.
The following are highlights of Tuttle Law’s practice areas:
General Corporate and Business Services
- Organization of corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and joint ventures
- Consultations regarding issues associated with choice of business entity, including tax
- Ownership and operating agreements among shareholders of corporations, partners of general and limited partnerships, and members of limited liability companies
- Ongoing operational matters for business entities
- Counseling directors and officers regarding corporate governance and fiduciary matters
Finance and Securities
- Representation of private issuers and investors in structuring debt and equity investments
- Private placements of securities to individual and institutional investors
- Broker/dealer and finder issues
- Representation of borrowers in loan agreements, credit facilities and related matters
- Representation of investment advisors
Commercial Transactions
- Preparation and review of sales, distribution, service, and a wide variety of other contracts
- Leasing arrangements for equipment and other business assets
- Advice regarding transactions subject to the Uniform Commercial Code, including purchase orders, sale confirmations, and product warranty issues
- Representation of licensors and licensees in intellectual property licensing transactions
Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship
- Representation of issuers and investors in debt and equity investments
- Options and warrants
- Shareholder agreements and control arrangements
- Operating agreements for limited liability companies
- Joint venture agreements
- Exit strategies
Mergers and Acquisitions
- Asset acquisitions, stock acquisitions, and mergers involving public and private companies
- Securities laws issues
- Counsel to special committees
- Leveraged buy-outs and recapitalizations
Employment Law
- Counsel to employers concerning employment practices, discrimination, wrongful discharge, and harassment
- Conduct of seminars and training sessions related to discrimination, EEO, harassment and other employment issues
- Conduct of internal investigations of employment and whistle-blower claims
- Representation of employers in EEOC and state agency investigations
- Preparation and review of employee handbooks and employment policies and practices
- Employment contracts, consulting agreements, confidentiality agreements and noncompetition agreements
- Compliance with employment and wage and hour laws, including EEOC and Department of Labor regulations
- Unemployment compensation
- Reductions-in-force, including OWBPA and WARN Act compliance
- Independent contractor arrangements and agreements
Executive Compensation
- Executive employment agreements
- Stock option, stock bonus, and other incentive compensation plans
- Compliance with IRS, SEC, and Department of Labor regulations
Tax-Exempt Entities and Charitable Organizations
- Counsel to charitable and nonprofit entities in organizational, governance and operating matters
- Services related to applications for tax-exempt status
Litigation Support
- Litigation support to other law firms in matters involving corporate, business and employment law issues
- Assistance in obtaining litigation counsel and monitoring the progress of litigation matters
- Counsel to Special Litigation Committees
Dog Law
- Prepare and review contracts related to puppy sales, breeding and co-ownership of dogs
- Governance of dog clubs
- Formation of dog clubs and related foundations