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In Memoriam, Melissa Rizzo

"It is not an overstatement to say that Missy was a brilliant lawyer and a truly wonderful person. She was a tireless advocate for her clients’ interests and was always faithful to answer the call of her partners seeking her expertise."
- Gif Thornton, Managing Partner

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our partner and friend, Melissa “Missy” Rizzo on December 23, 2017. Missy was a trusted intellectual property litigator, who touched so many lives, both personally and professionally. Missy will be deeply missed, but fondly remembered by everyone who knew her.

Missy was a licensed patent attorney with prosecution experience before the United States Patent and Trademark Office in a variety of technical fields, including the chemical, electrical, mechanical, and biomedical arts.

She was a first chair intellectual property litigator with a track record of successful results in multi-jurisdictional disputes, proceedings before the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and trademark, patent, and copyright infringement litigation in United States federal courts.

Missy was a chemical engineer who graduated first in her law school class - but her approach to litigation was not academic. Prior to attending law school, she worked as a process engineer for a major oil refiner. Missy received her B.S. in 2003 from Purdue University and her J.D. from Stetson University College of Law in 2008.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Missy’s husband, Brian, family and friends. She will be dearly missed.