Melissa Ho is a trial attorney with a detailed understanding of government regulations and business litigation. A former prosecutor, she is sympathetic to the disruption and chaos a government inquiry and criminal investigation can cause.
Melissa defends individual clients against a wide variety of criminal allegations, including health care fraud, qui tam, RICO violations, bank fraud, real estate fraud, mortgage fraud, foreign corrupt practices, securities fraud, water and air quality violations, government corruption, procurement and public fraud, professional misconduct, civil and criminal forfeiture, licensing violations, parallel proceedings, and computer crimes, including juvenile delinquency matters.
On behalf of corporate entities, Melissa has conducted numerous internal investigations for clients, both self-initiated and in response to government inquiry. She represents individuals and businesses in investigations by all types of government entities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of Inspector Generals (state and federal), Securities and Exchange Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Internal Revenue Service, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Department of Veterans Affairs and local police. She also assists clients in performing their own internal investigations and in developing compliance programs to prevent wrongdoing by employees.
Melissa has experience handling complex civil litigation matters, including the defense of civil RICO, 42 U.S.C. 1983 claims, election law, public official liability, consumer fraud, and general tort liability.
Melissa works as a liaison between the business and litigation professionals both in the United States and in Asia to formulate comprehensive plans in response to contract disputes and government inquiries. Combining her government regulatory knowledge, litigation skills, and knowledge of Asian cultural practices, Melissa provides sound business advice for clients with interests both nationally and internationally.
Melissa’s representative experience includes:
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Defense of government inquiries (civil and criminal)
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Advising companies (both privately held and publicly traded) on litigation matters
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Preparation of witnesses for depositions, arbitrations, and testimonials under oath
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Coordination of rapid response and crisis communications for high profile clients
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False Claims Act representation, compliance and training
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Advising clients with matters before the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control
