Kerra J. Melvin

Partner
Seattle Corporate Chair
Kerra Melvin is an excellent communicator and negotiator, and excellent in her knowledge of the law and historical perspectives.
Client quoted in Chambers USA
About

Kerra Melvin is an emerging growth and venture capital attorney who represents life sciences and technology companies, founders, and investors across the company life cycle. She advises clients from formation and early-stage financing through growth-stage transactions, strategic partnerships, corporate governance matters, and exit transactions.

Kerra works with innovative companies and the investors that support them, helping clients navigate the legal and business issues that arise as they scale. Her practice includes advising on venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, and day-to-day corporate matters, with a focus on practical, business-oriented counsel for companies operating in highly dynamic markets.

Known for her collaborative approach, Kerra partners with entrepreneurs, management teams, boards, and investors to help structure transactions, manage risk, and position companies for long-term growth.

Bar admissionsWashington

TRANSACTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Selected Financings
  • Alitheon Series AA financing
  • Launch Therapeutics Series A financing
  • Rhino Federated Computing Series A financing
  • TomboyX Series A financing
Selected Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Sale of Amper to ECI Software Solutions
  • Sale of Stratos Genomics to Roche Molecular Systems
  • Sale of Twistle to Health Catalyst
  • Sale of Cornerstone Advisors to Pathstone
Selected Venture Capital Clients
  • Madrona Venture Group
  • Powerhouse
  • Qiming Venture Partners USA
  • SignalFire
  • Trilogy
  • Wave Capital

Awards

Chambers USA

  • Up and Coming, Washington Corporate/M&A, (2026)
Education
  • J.D., University of Washington School of Law, 2013 with honors
    Editor in Chief, Washington Journal of Law, Technology & Arts
  • B.S., Business and Information Technology, Montana Tech, 2009
    Valedictorian

Publications

  • Co-author, "Understanding Section 280G and Golden Parachute Payments," The Venture Alley, September 5, 2012
  • "Technology, Travel Companies & Taxation: Should Expedia Be Required to Collect and Remit State Occupancy Taxes on Profits from Facilitating Hotel Room Rentals?" Washington Journal of Law, Technology & Arts, July 1, 2012

Prior Experience

Previously, Kerra worked as a Summer Associate at DLA Piper.

Kerra also served as a legal extern with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, as a law clerk with the United States Department of Justice—Tax Division and as a tax research assistant for the United States Senate Finance Committee.