Melissa B. Coffey

Partner

Melissa Coffey’s practice focuses on (1) conducting internal investigations, including to preempt or mitigate actions by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), and other enforcement agencies; (2) successfully defending companies and senior executives in government enforcement actions and civil and criminal litigation; and (3) delivering practical regulatory advice to help avoid enforcement actions in the first place.

Clients turn to Melissa for her keen judgment and her practical and efficient approach to problem-solving, including in connection with crisis management and bet-the-company matters. Melissa has represented countless companies and individuals in government investigations, litigation initiated by the federal government and whistleblowers (including in False Claims Act actions alleging health care or other fraud), and other complex civil litigation. She also conducts internal investigations on behalf of companies and board committees to investigate concerns including fraud and employee misconduct, and successfully advises clients in order to avoid enforcement actions or litigation.

Melissa advises clients across a spectrum of industries, including financial services, accounting, retail, pharmaceutical, home health, and medical supplies, among others. She also has extensive experience facilitating the efficient review of large volumes of electronic data, including using artificial intelligence in connection with internal and government investigations and litigation.

Representative Experience

  • Successful dismissal, affirmed on appeal, of civil RICO litigation seeking $200 million in damages
  • Closing or other favorable resolution of a variety of investigations and litigation involving fees broker-dealers charged to clients, including distribution and shareholder services fees
  • Closing of SEC insider trading investigation involving a broker-dealer
  • Favorable resolution of DOJ False Claims Act investigation and related litigation involving home health agency, part of a major healthcare services company
  • Representation of retailer in an internal and SEC investigation involving alleged accounting fraud relating to the accounting for markdowns
  • Representation of accounting firms in a variety of PCAOB enforcement investigations
  • Representation of securities lending executives in civil litigation and an SEC investigation of a major financial institution, which the SEC declined to pursue
  • Representation of current and former employees of pharmaceutical companies in federal grand jury investigations involving potential False Claims Act allegations

Awards and Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America©, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom and Energy) (2019-Present)

Affiliations

  • Co-Chair of the Sponsor Committee, Women’s White Collar Defense Association (http://wwcda.org/)
  • Member, American Bar Association
17 August 2023 Honors and Awards

Foley Attorneys Recognized in 2024 Best Lawyers in America

Foley & Lardner LLP proudly announced today that 236 of the firm’s attorneys across 20 U.S. offices have received recognition in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.
18 August 2022 Press Releases

Foley Attorneys Recognized in 2023 Best Lawyers in America

Foley & Lardner LLP proudly announced that 250 of our attorneys across 20 offices have received recognition in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.
20 August 2020 Press Releases

Foley Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2021 List

Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that 20 of its attorneys earned Best Lawyers 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” recognition in their respective practice areas. In addition, 243 of the firm’s attorneys from 18 offices have been listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2021. Another 51 of the firm’s attorneys from 14 offices have been named to the new category of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, which recognizes associates and other lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice.
07 July 2020 Press Releases

Foley Florida Lawyers Named to Florida Trend’s 2020 Legal Elite

Partners Ed Baxa and Gardner Davis have been named to Florida Trend’s 2020 Legal Elite Hall of Fame. The Legal Elite Hall of Fame consists of a distinguished group of attorneys who have consistently earned high rankings from their peers in the annual Florida Trend Legal Elite voting.
15 August 2019 Press Releases

Foley Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2020 List

Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that 20 attorneys earned Best Lawyers 2020 “Lawyer of the Year” recognition in their respective practice areas, receiving the top nod from Best Lawyers. In addition, 233 of its attorneys from 18 offices have been listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2020.
31 May 2019 Blogs

Supreme Court Maximizes Statute of Limitations for Relators Suing Under the False Claims Act

Health care providers, and others who receive money from the federal government are at greater risk of suit under the False Claims Act (FCA), following the Supreme Court’s May 13 decision in United States ex rel. Hunt v. Cochise Consultancy.