Mike Melis is a partner in the Richmond, Virginia office and co-chair of the firm’s Higher Education practice group. With over 25 years of experience representing higher education institutions, government agencies, and private sector clients, Mike is a trusted strategic advisor on critical, complex, and sensitive legal challenges.

Mike has extensive experience advising and defending governing boards and senior leadership at higher education institutions across a wide range of issues, including employment and personnel matters, governance, civil rights and constitutional law, torts, contracts, student discipline, and compliance with Title VI and Title IX.

To support his clients’ broader needs and goals, Mike takes a practical, result-oriented approach. He partners with his clients to develop innovative solutions that help avoid litigation and minimize the cost and disruption to his clients when it occurs.

Before joining O’Hagan Meyer, Mike served as the Higher Education Section Chief in the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia and previously as general counsel to Virginia Commonwealth University.

Mike earned his J.D. from William and Mary Law School and B.A. in Foreign Affairs, with a minor in Philosophy, from the University of Virginia.