Brenda Meltebeke

On July 1, 2025, Brenda retired from the full-time practice of law. She continues on at Tonkon Torp in a Senior Counsel role. Brenda joined Tonkon Torp in 2016 as a partner in the firm’s Business Department. Her practice focuses on securities law, including venture capital financings, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, public and private offerings of securities, and state and federal regulation of securities. Brenda has represented both privately and publicly-owned businesses in industries including technology, life sciences, financial services, telecom, food and beverage, and manufacturing.

Brenda is immediate past Chair of the firm’s Startups, Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Practice Group and has substantial experience in business counseling and general corporate law representing startups and emerging growth companies. She works with clients on a variety of matters, including selecting the appropriate form of entity, forming and dissolving corporations, advising on corporate governance issues, and negotiating and documenting such contractual arrangements as shareholder, investor rights, and voting agreements, as well as debt and equity financing agreements. Her experience includes representation of venture capital and angel funds regarding their organization and investments.

A graduate of Boston University School of Law, Brenda returned to Portland in 1994, joining the firm Ater Wynne LLP. While there, she chaired the firm’s Business Department from 2001-2009, chaired its Emerging Business Practice Group from 2009-2016, and served as the Firm Chair from 2011-2016.