
Melissa N. Subjeck
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
Education
Canisius College, B.A., Summa Cum Laude
University at Buffalo School of Law, J.D., Cum Laude
Melissa is an experienced and dedicated business litigator. She represents prominent national corporations in complex contract, intellectual property, banking, employment, and business disputes, as well as professional malpractice matters. Melissa’s extensive experience litigating intellectual property matters includes patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret disputes. Melissa also represents banks and financial institutions in class action and complex civil litigations, including matters involving allegations of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty, as well as those implicating their BSA/AML programs. In addition, as a member of the firm’s COVID-19 Litigation and Employment Action Team, Melissa regularly represents and counsels suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and vendors on a variety of contract and supply chain disputes, including force majeure.
She has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in diverse areas, including the financial, aerospace, pharmaceutical, medical, dental, and genetic testing industries. She has prosecuted and defended these cases across New York State and elsewhere, frequently obtaining or opposing applications for preliminary injunctive relief.
In addition to general business and intellectual property litigation, Melissa—an owner, breeder, and experienced rider of several national champion Arabian and Half-Arabian horses—is also well versed in and uniquely positioned to practice equine and agriculture law. Melissa’s knowledge of these industries, combined with her experience in contract and litigation matters, makes her particularly adept at protecting the diverse legal needs of agricultural operations and horse owners, breeders, trainers, and equestrian facilities. Melissa represents clients in a broad range of matters, including those related to equine and agriculture litigation, dispute resolution, and industry specific contracts.
Honors
- Listed, Best Lawyers in America (Gaming Law; Cannabis Law; and Commercial Litigation) 2020 - 2023
- Listed, Upstate New York Super Lawyers (Business Litigation) 2013 - 2022
- Buffalo Business First’s 40 Under Forty award, 2014
- National Trial Lawyers’ Top 40 Under Forty
- Leadership Buffalo Class of 2014
Experience
- Brokered Favorable Settlement for Victim of Fraudulent Horse Sale
- Defended Client in Trademark and Copyright Infringement Action in NJ
- Full Spectrum of Corporate Legal Services for Supermarket Chain
- No-Cause Verdict in $100 Million Coverage Case Affirmed
- Non-Compete Matters for Major Food Distributor
- Patent Infringement Lawsuits Settled Favorably for Client
- Represented Equestrian Facility and Its Owner in Defamation Claim Prosecution
- Successfully Resolved Dispute Arising From Purchase of Unfit Horse
- Trade Dress Infringement Decided Favorably for Hodgson Russ Manufacturing Client
In the News
- April 2023
- The Trusted Professional, April 22, 2021
- Chronicle of the Horse, May 20, 2020
- Buffalo Business First, March 12, 2020
- Buffalo Business First, March 22, 2019
- Hacked!EquiManagement, February 9, 2018
- Buffalo Business First, November 7, 2014
- Arabian Horse Times, October 2014
- July 3, 2012
- April 11, 2007
Press Releases
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 23, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 19, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 20, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 19, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, September 8, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 20, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 20, 2019
- Press Release, August 12, 2019
- Press Release, August 20, 2018
- Press Release, September 6, 2017
- Press Release, August 31, 2016
- Press Release, August 19, 2015
- Press Release, December 30, 2014
- Press Release, August 14, 2014
- Press Release, August 11, 2014
- August 2013
Publications
- Hodgson Russ Intellectual Property Litigation Alert, May 30, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Banking & Finance Alert, March 27, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Intellectual Property Litigation Alert, March 23, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Banking & Finance Alert , March 13, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Intellectual Property Litigation Alert, January 27, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Non-Compete, Non-Solicit, and Trade Secrets Alert, January 6, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Intellectual Property Litigation Alert, December 20, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Intellectual Property Alert, November 28, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Intellectual Property Litigation Alert , October 31, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Intellectual Property Litigation Alert, October 19, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Cannabis & Hemp Alert, October 19, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Intellectual Property Litigation Alert, July 21, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Cannabis and Hemp Alert , July 7, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Cannabis & Hemp Alert, February 2, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Cannabis & Hemp and Labor & Employment Alert, November 4, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Cannabis & Hemp Alert, October 26, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Cannabis & Hemp Alert, September 2, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, May 25, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Intellectual Property & Technology Alert, May 24, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Hemp and Medical Cannabis Alert, March 29, 2021
- Hodgson Russ COVID-19 Litigation and Employment Action Team Alert, March 25, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Hemp and Medical Cannabis Alert, March 23, 2021
- Hodgson Russ COVID-19 Litigation and Employment Action Team Alert, March 11, 2021
- Hodgson Russ COVID-19 Litigation and Employment Action Team Alert, March 10, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Hemp and Medical Cannabis Alert, February 24, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, February 17, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Hemp & Medical Cannabis and Agriculture Alert, February 10, 2021
- Hodgson Russ COVID-19 Litigation and Employment Action Team Alert, February 8, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Hemp and Medical Cannabis Alert, February 8, 2021
- COVID-19 Litigation and Employment Action Team Alert, January 29, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, January 27, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Hemp & Medical Cannabis and Agriculture Alert, January 22, 2021
- Hodgson Russ COVID-19 Litigation & Employment Action Team Alert, January 21, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, January 7, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Intellectual Property & Technology Alert, January 7, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Equine Alert, December 31, 2020
- Hodgson Russ COVID-19 Litigation & Employment Action Team Alert, November 4, 2020
- Hodgson Russ COVID-19 Litigation & Employment Action Team Alert, October 15, 2020
- Hodgson Russ COVID-19 Litigation & Employment Action Team Alert, October 12, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, September 23, 2020
- Hodgson Russ COVID-19 Litigation & Employment Action Team Alert, September 10, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, August 31, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, August 26, 2020
- Hodgson Russ COVID-19 Litigation and Employment Action Team Alert, August 6, 2020
- Hodgson Russ COVID-19 Litigation and Employment Action Team Alert, July 28, 2020
- Hodgson Russ COVID-19 Litigation & Employment Action Team Alert, July 14, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation Alert, June 23, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation and Bankruptcy & Restructuring Alert, June 22, 2020
- Hodgson Russ COVID-19 Litigation & Employment Action Team Alert, June 15, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation Alert, May 22, 2020
- Hodgson Russ OSHA and Business Litigation Alert, May 13, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Intellectual Property Alert, May 8, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Intellectual Property Litigation Alert, April 27, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation Alert, April 22, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation and Securities Regulation & Corporate Compliance Alert, April 22, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Agriculture Alert, April 20, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation Alert, April 15, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation Alert, April 9, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, April 7, 2020
- Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, April 6, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Practice Alert, April 3, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, March 16, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Non-Compete, Non-Solicit & Trade Secrets Alert, March 12, 2020
- Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, January 28, 2020
- Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, December 16, 2019
- Interim guidance adds some certainty to an evolving industry, including relief from strict criminal limitsHemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, November 4, 2019
- Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, October 4, 2019
- Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, August 23, 2019
- Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, July 10, 2019
- Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, July 2, 2019
- Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, May 30, 2019
- Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, May 2, 2019
- Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, April 12, 2019
- Gaming Alert, January 22, 2019
- Intellectual Property Practice Alert, January 11, 2019
- Agriculture Alert, November 6, 2018
- Agriculture Alert, July 25, 2018
- Mane Stream, April 2017
- Wolters Kluwer IP Law Daily, October 31, 2016
- Buffalo Law Journal, May 2, 2016
- Equine Sales Transactions: How to Handle the Dishonest SellerMane Stream, January 28, 2016
- Mane Stream, November/December 2015
- Mane Stream, August 2015
- Mane Stream, June 2015
- Buffalo Law Journal, April 8, 2015
- New York State Horse Council Newsletter, March 6, 2015
- New York Horse Council Newsletter, March 6, 2015
- New York Horse, January 2015
- Arabian Horse Association of New York Inc. Newsletter and Trust Advisor, America's Leading Wealth Management E-Newsletter, August 2014
- JD Supra, April 9, 2014
- New York Law Journal, January 6, 2014
- New York Law Journal, January 7, 2013
Presentations & Events
- June 22, 2023
- June 20, 2023
- February 2023
- February 18, 2022
- August 26, 2021
- June 15, 2021
- April 21, 2021
- March 23 & 25, 2021
- November 17, December 1 & 15, January 5 & 19
- November 4, 2020
- March 10, 2020
- October 16, 2019
- Crossroads Conference Center, Belmont, NY, April 10, 2019
- Longfellow's Hotel, 500 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, December 12, 2018
- November 8, 2018
- Purina Professional Horseman’s SymposiumClyde’s Feed and Animal Center, July 10, 2018
- United States Law Firm Group PresentationHodgson Russ, 140 Pearl St, Buffalo, NY 14202, May 17 to May 18, 2018
- April 11, 2018
- Equifest Western Chapter of NYSHC - Moving Beyond the Handshake Deal: The Increasing Importance of Written Agreements in the Horse IndustryMarch 18, 2017
- Purina Horse Owners' Workshop - Legal Issues for Horse Owners and ProfessionalsClyde's Feed and Animal Center, December 1, 2016
- Purina Horse Owners' Workshop - Legal Issues for Horse Owners and ProfessionalsClyde's Feed and Animal Center, March 25, 2016
- Equine Affaire - Nuts & Bolts of Equine Law: Everything an Equine Professional and Horse Enthusiast Should KnowNovember 14, 2015
- Nassau-Suffolk Horsemen's Association - Equine Law: Legal Issues for Horse Owners and ProfessionalsNovember 4, 2015
- Central New York Horse Club - Equine Law: Legal Issues for Horse Owners and ProfessionalsSeptember 17, 2015
- Arabian Horse Association of New York - Equine Law: Legal Issues for Horse Owners and ProfessionalsMay 19, 2015
- Equine Affaire - Professional Negligence in the Equine Industry: What Every Professional Wants to KnowColumbus, OH, April 12, 2015
- Equine Affaire: Nuts & Bolts of Equine Law - Everything a Horse Enthusiast Should KnowColumbus, OH, April 12, 2015
- WNY Equifest Seminar: Horses & the Law - Legal Issues Every Enthusiast Should KnowHamburg, NY, March 15, 2015
- New York, NY, November 2013
- Federal Bar Association Webinar: Patent Piracy - When Is Offshore Activity Infringement?July 2013
- Buffalo, NY, March 29, 2012
- Buffalo, NY, October 6, 2011
- November 2010
- Buffalo, NY, September 24, 2009
- Erie Institute of Law CLE Seminar: 2008 Update on Civil Practice and ProcedureBuffalo, NY, Summer 2008
Professional Associations
- Federal Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
- Bar Association of Erie County
- Co-Chair of Intellectual Property, Computer, and Entertainment Law Committee, Bar Association of Erie County
Community & Pro Bono
-
SPCA Serving Erie County board of directors, co-chair of legislative committee, and governance committee
- Former National Federation for Just Communities of Western New York board of directors and co-chair of the Dash for Diversity Committee
- Former Roswell Park Cancer Institute All-Star Night Committee
- Former Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo Foundation Event Planning Committee
- University at Buffalo School of Law mentoring program
- United States Equestrian Federation, member
- Arabian Horse Association of New York, member