Rachel Melissa Joins Tonkon Torp Environmental & Information Privacy Practice Groups

PORTLAND, Ore. (January 22, 2025) Tonkon Torp LLP is happy to share that Rachel Melissa has joined its Business Department as an attorney in its Environmental & Natural Resources and Information Privacy & Security practice groups.

“In my 20-year legal career, I’ve worked in both large and small firms and also as in-house counsel – experiences that informed my decision to join Tonkon Torp,” commented Melissa. “Tonkon is clearly the perfect fit. As a full-service firm, it offers clients a wide variety of practice areas with talented attorneys, a strong commitment to integrity and professionalism, and a loyal connection to the Portland community.”

In her environmental practice, Rachel Melissa assists industrial and agricultural clients in matters relating to contaminated site cleanup, source control, and liability considerations. Her work has focused on the federally-managed Portland Harbor Superfund Site and other state-managed cleanup projects. Melissa has experience in a wide range of environmental enforcement and regulatory matters involving issues such as stormwater management, asbestos, and solid waste.

“Rachel’s extensive experience will be a huge asset to Tonkon’s environmental practice group,” said Jeanette Schuster, Environmental & Natural Resources Chair. “Moreover, she brings expertise in the application of new and emerging laws and complex regulatory schemes. We are excited that Rachel will take the lead in supporting our clients’ compliance with Oregon’s new Recycling Modernization Act and other similar extended producer responsibility laws.”

Melissa also has broad experience with data privacy law, advising businesses on compliance with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA), and the many analogous state privacy laws coming into effect across the country.

“We are so pleased to welcome Rachel to our team,” said Parna Mehrbani, Chair of Tonkon Torp’s Information Privacy & Security Practice Group, “Her broad experience in data privacy, including in the U.S. and the European Union – with a particular focus on data brokers – will be a great benefit to our clients as we continue to navigate this quickly changing area of law.” 

Melissa joined Tonkon Torp after nearly five years as Senior Counsel at Melissa Data Corporation, where she focused on data privacy, regulatory compliance, content drafting, and employment matters. Her experience also includes over a decade with Pearl Legal Group PC, a boutique environmental firm in Portland, and tenure as a litigation associate with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP in Washington, D.C.

About Tonkon Torp
Tonkon Torp LLP is a leading business and litigation law firm serving public companies, substantial private enterprises, entrepreneurial businesses, and individuals throughout the Northwest. Tonkon Torp is celebrating its 50th year in business! See our History Timeline for more information, or visit tonkon.com.