Melissa Rick

Melissa Rick is a highly skilled Partner at Wilson Sonsini, specializing in corporate law and offering exceptional legal counsel to innovative companies.

Her expertise includes advising boards, corporate governance, equity financings, IPOs, secondary transactions, exits, and developing unique legal strategies for groundbreaking companies.

Melissa excels in guiding companies through IPOs and exits, providing comprehensive counsel on planning, compliance, and market entry strategies.

With a focus on IPO preparedness, she helps companies navigate regulatory requirements and complexities in preparation for going public.

In equity financings, Melissa has a successful track record in structuring deals for both issuers and investors, ensuring favorable outcomes for all parties involved.

Specializing in secondary liquidity matters, she offers strategic guidance on founder transfers, employee liquidity programs, and pre-IPO liquidity issues, facilitating smooth transitions and opportunities for equity holders.

Melissa is dedicated to empowering boards through invaluable insights, guidance, and best practices in corporate governance to enhance decision-making processes and structures.

Her diverse industry expertise spans digital health, technology, life sciences, gaming, AI, crypto, and other innovative sectors, providing tailored legal support to address sector-specific challenges and opportunities.

Outside her corporate practice, Melissa is a passionate pro bono advocate representing non-profits and social impact companies, making a meaningful impact through her commitment to pro bono work.

She holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Boston University School of Law, with prior studies at The University of Hong Kong and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Political Science from Calvin University.

Melissa has held various positions including Partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Board Member at Magical Bridge Foundation, and roles at Goodwin Procter LLP, New England Clean Energy Council, Barnes and Thornburg, and Sommer Barnard PC.