Rachel Melissa

Rachel Melissa is a business attorney in Tonkon Torp’s Environmental & Natural Resources and Information Privacy & Security practice groups.

In her environmental practice, Rachel assists industrial and agricultural clients in matters relating to contaminated site cleanup, regulatory compliance, and liability considerations. Her experience includes work on the federally-managed Portland Harbor Superfund Site and a wide range of Oregon DEQ permit and enforcement matters involving stormwater, solid waste, and air emissions. Rachel’s current environmental focus includes significant work assisting businesses in their compliance with the new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws in Oregon and other states targeting product packaging.

Rachel also has broad experience with data privacy law – both in the United States and the European Union. In her information privacy and security practice, she advises businesses on compliance with the EU’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. Rachel has particular expertise in drafting comprehensive privacy policies and advising data brokers of their regulatory and consumer responsibilities.

Rachel is known for her professionalism, communication, and thoughtful attention to detail. She has a unique interest in untangling complicated statutes and regulations and applying those laws in the context of real-world problems.

Rachel 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. Immediately after law school, Rachel served two judicial clerkships – at the Oregon Court of Appeals and Lane County Circuit Court.

Outside of work, Rachel loves to read and talk about books and is a frequent attendee at the Portland Literary Arts lecture series. She plays clarinet and piano, enjoys live music, and travels internationally whenever the opportunity arises. When not spending time with her family, you might find Rachel tending her flower garden, hiking, or learning how to identify trees.