The purpose of the series is to bridge the gap between junior and senior business lawyers in Oregon, fostering understanding and camaraderie. For this article, we interviewed Melissa Jaffe, the owner and principal attorney of the Law Offices of Melissa B. Jaffe, PC and a member of the Business Law Section Executive Committee. Read on to learn more about her path to law, her practice, and her advice for junior and senior lawyers.
- Tell me about your path to being a lawyer. What inspired you to pursue this career?
I worked at a club in college called the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC. At the time, I mostly did it for the free concerts, but witnessing the amount of behind-the-scenes work that went into each production was inspiring. Eventually I was tasked with reading and even redlining contracts, and I was hooked—I knew I wanted to be a transactional lawyer. I was able to problem-solve, be creative, and interpret different perspectives from different stakeholders, and I was responsible for making sure all the details were tracked and executed. If there was a disagreement, I was routinely called upon to mediate. It was fast-paced, detailed, and incredibly satisfying to witness how many lives were impacted with each event.
- What is your practice area?
I am a transactional business lawyer with a focus on intellectual property and privacy law. My skill set is called upon regarding artists, producers, entrepreneurs, new business technology (such as cryptocurrency), and new endeavors of all kinds.
- How long have you been in your current role?
I became a lawyer nearly twenty years ago. I have owned my own practice for the last seventeen years.
- How have you seen the practice change since you started practicing?
Technology has changed everything in my practice. I literally think everything has been updated—my staff is all remote, I use AI to assist with scheduling and managing calendars across different time zones, and all my clients have some internet component, which has caused privacy issues to increase exponentially. From a business ownership perspective, when I started my practice, I would use Yellow Pages ads. Now I have marketing strategy sessions that include social media, apps, and video presentations. I own a multi-jurisdictional practice; I’m licensed in CA, OR, and WA and will sit for the HI bar shortly. Almost all my meetings are remote through Teams or Zoom.
- What do you wish you had known before you started working as a new lawyer?
I really wish I would have invested in a joint MBA/JD. Running your own firm is so much more than just billing and emails. There are aspects of accounting, management, marketing and PR, and feeling responsible for staff that add additional layers of stress I wasn’t necessarily prepared to encounter. Luckily, I enjoy learning and was able to grow along with my practice. Honestly, I remember thinking I was finished with classwork once I graduated from law school, but it turned out I wasn’t, not by a long shot!
- What are your career highlights?
There have been so many. When I started my career in Portland, I would give free talks to artists on the basics of intellectual property. About ten years later, I was called on to write a brief on copyright law in a very high-stakes litigation. Based on my talk, the artist was able to deftly negotiate a derivative rights clause to his contract that ultimately won him a lot of money. I think the particular nuance escaped many of the corporate lawyers when drafting the agreement. He contacted me after the judgment was rendered to thank me. I truly changed his life for the better. That was very gratifying.
Another person who joined my office as an assistant went on to run her own incredibly successful creative business. We are still in touch, and I know many of her business decisions were based on the talks we had had years prior.
When I am able to get my clients, staff, or audience members to understand the importance of legal theories or intellectual property issues—when I see the light bulb turn on—that is intensely gratifying for me.
- What is your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of my job is making the world a better place for my colleagues, clients, and their clients. There is such an impact we get to make, and I believe it’s an impact that deeply enriches others in the long term. Watching business grow, multiply, and even sell has a certain magic to it. It is an honor to assist clients turn an idea or a small venture into something that can support their families and even generations into the future.
- What parts of the job do you wish you could outsource to AI?
I am learning to love marketing. Promoting myself and my business is a tough thing for me because my name is also my law firm name. As a solo practitioner it can feel uncomfortable to talk about myself. At times, I wish I could avoid it entirely and hand it off to AI.
- What advice would you give a new business lawyer?
My biggest advice to new business lawyers is to turn your devices off while with family, especially if you have children. I understand we are a competitive group, but it makes a big difference for mental and ultimately physical wellness to just be present with loved ones.
My second piece of advice is to engage in service. My community service through the Business Law Section, Intellectual Property Law Section, Oregon Women Lawyers, House of Delegates of the Oregon State Bar, and state bar taskforces has allowed me to meet others who are passionate about the practice of law. The pro bono work I’m engaged in is some of the most impactful.
- What advice would you give a senior lawyer who is charged with mentoring a new lawyer?
I recommend senior lawyers remain vulnerable and open with their mentees. I have made great friendships with my mentees and discovered some pretty serious circumstances that truly needed attention. I’m grateful I was able to help in sometimes profound ways. Other times, just remaining available means a lot to a brand-new lawyer.