Kutak Rock congratulates Tallahassee-based real estate transition partner Melissa VanSickle on receiving the President’s Award of Merit from The Florida Bar.

Presented by outgoing Florida Bar President Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes during the Bar’s Annual Convention in Orlando, the President’s Award of Merit recognizes attorneys for outstanding service and leadership to The Florida Bar. Melissa was honored for her service and leadership to The Florida Bar of Governors.

In presenting the award, Baker-Barnes recognized Melissa’s leadership across numerous committees, projects and initiatives, highlighting her contributions to the Board’s Budget, Program Evaluation and Legislation committees. Melissa has served on The Florida Bar Board of Governors since 2016 and is also active in numerous other professional and community organizations.

Read more about the award here.

Melissa is a Florida Bar Board Certified real estate Lawyer and advises developers on multifamily, mixed use and master planned community projects. She also represents landlords and tenants in commercial leasing transactions including healthcare, commercial office and retail leasing projects. Melissa’s practice includes serving as general counsel for a research and development park, handling its real estate issues, and facilitating economic incentive agreements and other business collaborations.

Melissa has contributed significant time to the Florida Guardian Ad Litem Program in a pro bono capacity and also previously taught as an adjunct professor at the Florida State University College of Law, sharing her knowledge of real estate law with the next generation of attorneys.