Washington, DC Office   direct phone: (202) 349 2456 direct fax: (202) 349 2457 E-mail	Education: University of Michigan Law School, J.D.   Michigan State University, B.A.     Bar Admissions: District of Columbia bar Michigan bar     Hometown: Detroit, MI
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Melissa Worden is a Member of Reno & Cavanaugh who has a number of years of experience representing public housing authorities, non-profits and joint-ventures in structuring and closing varied mixed-finance and affordable housing transactions.  Melissa currently represents public housing authorities in Albany NY, Detroit MI, Meridian MS, Milwaukee WI, Pittsburgh PA, San Antonio TX, and Stamford CT with respect to their mixed-finance transactions and public housing regulatory issues.   Selected Recent Transactions Represented housing authorities in numerous mixed-finance transactions, including those utilizing HOPE VI and Capital Funds, including CFFP financings and HOPE VI collateralizations, tax-exempt bonds, low-income housing tax credits, HOME  and NSP funds,  private lender financing and other state and local funding for the purpose of developing mixed-income rental and homeownership development. Represented client in its efforts to redevelop a 100-acre tract of land into a market rate homeownership development. Advised housing authorities and their affiliates regarding structuring transactions in compliance with HUD mixed-finance procurement and funding criteria. Drafted agreements to memorialize rights and responsibilities between housing authorities and their development-related affiliates and ensured proper corporate formalities were maintained by affiliates. Drafted ground leases, purchase and sale agreements, easements and deed restrictions related to land acquired or conveyed by clients. Drafted loan agreements, grant agreements and development agreements, reviewed partnership agreements and bond financing documents.  Drafted borrower and guarantor legal opinions on behalf of non-profit and parent to secure construction loans. Acted as real estate counsel to publicly traded company in its analysis, acquisition and development of real property nationwide. Prepared record retention policies for client. Counseled client on board governance issues. Prepared articles, bylaws and secured tax exempt status for a client affiliate. Counseled clients on HUD compliance issues.  Major Prior Work Experience   As in-house counsel to the Detroit Housing Commission for five years, Melissa was responsible for the following: overseeing all legal aspects of HOPE VI development at three HOPE VI sites; ensuring compliance of DHC-affiliates with all federal, state and local laws; handling regulatory matters including OIG audit responses, procurement issues, occupancy matters including landlord tenant issues and compliance with other HUD guidelines applicable to public housing; and, overseeing and coordinating the work of outside counsel handling real estate, finance and litigation matters.   First as a staff attorney, then later as a clinical assistant professor at the Urban Communities Clinic at the University of Michigan Law School, Melissa drafted organizational documents for community-development clients, including articles, bylaws, applications for exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and advised on related matters, reviewed title of numerous parcels being assembled for development; cleared title on tax-reverted and other clouded titles, represented clients in affordable housing transactions often involving tax credit equity, HOME funds and private loans, supervised students as they represented non-profit clients on affordable housing matters and taught seminar focusing on organizational structuring and development activities of non-profit affordable housing developers. Detroit Housing Commission, Detroit MI, 1999-2004, In-house Counsel Urban Communities Clinic, University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor MI, 1995-1997 Staff Attorney, 1997-1999 Clinical Assistant Professor Speaking Engagements/Publications Trainer and Facilitator, Seminar: Navigating the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act from a Public Housing Perspective, Detroit, Michigan, March, 2009 Facilitator, Seminar: Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Detroit, Michigan, November, 2008 Speaker, Mixed-Finance and Capital Fund Finance: New Ways to Develop and Operate Public Housing, Virginia Association of Housing and Community Development Officials 2006 Legal Seminar, December 2006 Awards, Community Activities and Professional Activities Pro Bono Attorney, AARP’s Volunteer Legal Services, Fall 2007-Present Real Estate and Allied Professionals, Founding Board Member, 2000-2004 WARM Training Center, President, 2001 - 2003 and Board Member, 1997-2001 Think Detroit, Supporting Partner, 2004, Board Member, 1996-2000 ABA Forum on Affordable Housing, Member, 1997-Present