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    Contact

    (917) 369-8847
    mapena@norris-law.com
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    Melissa A. Peña

    Member

    Melissa A. Peña, a member of the firm’s Management Committee and Chair of the Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights Practice Group, concentrates her practice on commercial litigation and bankruptcy and creditors’ rights. Her clients include financial institutions, private lenders, creditors, and accounting firms. Melissa has successfully represented secured creditors and unsecured creditors in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases and state court insolvency proceedings. She frequently handles commercial foreclosure actions, actions to enforce promissory notes and guarantees, lien priority disputes, fraudulent conveyance actions, and creditor enforcement matters.

    Melissa also defends accounting firms in disputes regarding alleged failure to detect criminal and fraudulent activity in the state and federal courts of New Jersey and New York.

    Outside the courtroom, Melissa handles commercial workouts, negotiating forbearance agreements on behalf of lenders and troubled cross-border transactions. She represents investors seeking to acquire defaulted loans from the due diligence stage to closing on the sale. Melissa also helps lenders to liquidate their collateral through UCC sales, including sales of co-ops. In connection with the firm’s cross-border practice, she represents clients concerning inbound and outbound transactions that require working with government agencies such as the U.S. Office of Foreign Asset Control and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

    Whether she is inside or outside the courtroom, Melissa’s goal is to find a practical business solution for her clients. She utilizes litigation as a tool to further her client’s business objectives in a cost-effective manner.

    Melissa is Co-Chair of the Meritas Financial Services section.

    Areas of practice

    • Banking & Financial Services
    • Bankruptcy, Creditors’ Rights, and Financial Restructuring
    • Litigation

    Education

      • The American University Washington College of Law
        • J.D., cum laude
      • George Washington University
        • B.A., magna cum laude, Political Science

    Professional Affiliations

      • Bankruptcy Inn of Court
        • Member
      • International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation
      • New York County Lawyers’ Association
      • National Association of Women Lawyers
      • Meritas
        • Board of Directors
        • Co-Chairman, Financial Services/CRABS Section

      Languages

      • Tagalog

    Bar Admissions

      • New Jersey
      • New York
      • U.S. District Court
        • District of New Jersey
        • Northern District of New York
        • Southern District of New York
        • Eastern District of New York
        • Western District of New York
      • U.S. Court of Appeals
        • Third Circuit
    • Recipient of Law Firm Collaborative Leadership in the Corporate Counsel’s Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards 2024

    Obtained jury verdict in favor of lender on suit to collect under personal guaranty in the Supreme Court of New York, Commercial Part.

    Represented several purchasers of assets in Section 363 bankruptcy sales with particular focus on the acquisition of intellectual property rights.

    Successfully represented creditor in obtaining non-dischargeability judgment in Bankruptcy Court on the basis that debtor committed a fraud.

    Represented assignee for benefit of creditors in contested motion by assignee to dismiss involuntary bankruptcy case filed against assignor.

    Successfully argued before the First Department to uphold entry of deficiency judgment against guarantors in commercial foreclosure action, involving the adjudication of the value of the mortgaged premises based on its highest and best use.

    Obtained order dismissing accounting malpractice claims against accounting firm and successfully defended appeal of the order.

    Represented subcontractors in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases involving New York Lien Law issues.

    Settled multiple preference claims to claw back payments received by creditors 90 days prior to a bankruptcy proceeding on behalf of defendants.

    Successfully obtained foreclosure judgments on behalf of lenders while counseling lenders on issues arising with a variety of collateral, including hotels, apartment complexes, office buildings, day care centers, animal shelters, and restaurants.

    April 28, 2025
    Protection of Accounting Firms
    When a client or non-client is unsatisfied with the outcome of a financial transaction, accounting firms often become the target. These disputes often arise in high-stakes contexts, including: Professional negligence suits: Claims that the firm failed to meet professional standards in financial reviews. Fraud-related disputes: Cases where accountants are accused of aiding or failing to...
    April 28, 2022
    Melissa A. Peña Recognized Among The “2022 Leaders in Law”
    Melissa A. Peña, a member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A.’s Management Committee and Chair of the Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights Practice Group, has been recognized among the “2022 Leaders in Law” by NJBIZ. Melissa has successfully represented debtors and creditors in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases and state court insolvency proceedings. She frequently handles commercial foreclosure...
    May 24, 2021
    Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Represent Firm in Meritas® Leadership Roles
    Steven A. Karg, a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., and one of the firm’s Meritas® Member Contacts, has been appointed to the Meritas U.S. Leadership Committee. “Being dedicated to building the relationship with other Meritas firms, it is my pleasure and honor to serve as the firm’s representative for the United States Leadership Committee,”...
    May 11, 2021
    Norris McLaughlin Appoints David Roberts as Chair and Elects David Harmon and Graham Simmons to Management Committee
    The law firm of Norris McLaughlin, P.A., is pleased to announce its 2021 Management Committee. David C. Roberts, a Member of the firm and Co-Chair of its Litigation Practice Group, has been appointed Chair of the firm, succeeding John N. Vanarthos, also a Member of the firm, who has served since 2018. David T. Harmon,...
    June 18, 2020
    Norris McLaughlin Elects Melissa Peña to Management Committee
    Melissa A.  Peña, a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., has been elected to the firm’s Management Committee. She succeeds Robert C. Gabrielski who has served on the committee for the past eight years and has stepped down to allow the next generation of leaders to play a more active role in managing the...
    November 21, 2019
    Norris McLaughlin Appoints Melissa Peña as Diversity and Inclusion Committee Chair
    The law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., is pleased to announce that it has named Melissa Anne Peña, a Member of the firm, member of its Management Committee, and Chair of the Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Practice Group, as Chair of the firm's Diversity and Inclusion Committee. About the Norris McLaughlin Diversity and Inclusion Committee As Chair,...
    May 10, 2018
    Melissa Peña Elected to Meritas Board of Directors
    Melissa A. Peña, a Member of Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Chair of its Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Group, and Co-Chair of the Meritas’ Financial Services/CRABS Group, has been elected to the Meritas Board of Directors for a three-year term, serving 2018-2021. Meritas is an established global alliance of more than 180 independent, full-service law firms in...
    January 25, 2018
    Steven Karg Named Norris McLaughlin, P.A. Meritas Member Contact
    Steven A. Karg, a Member of the law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., has been named the firm’s Main Meritas Member Contact, replacing Joel N. Jacobson, a Member of the firm and Chair of its Real Estate Practice Group.  Jacobson has been the firm’s representative to Meritas since 1991, when the firm first joined Meritas.  Melissa...
    November 6, 2014
    Robert C. Gabrielski and Melissa A. Peña to Participate in Meritas US/Canada Regional Meeting
    Robert C. Gabrielski and Melissa A. Peña to Participate in Meritas US/Canada Regional Meeting Bridgewater, NJ (November 6, 2014) – Robert C. Gabrielski and Melissa A. Peña, Members of the Bridgewater-based law firm, Norris McLaughlin, P.A., will participate in the Meritas 2014 US/Canada Regional Meeting at the Westin Grand Central Hotel in New York City....
    February 4, 2013
    Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Names Melissa Peña New Member
    Bridgewater, NJ (February 4, 2013) – The Bridgewater-based law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., announced that Melissa A. Peña has been named a Member of the firm. Peña, a resident of New York, New York, concentrates her practice on bankruptcy and creditors’ rights law and complex commercial litigation. She frequently represents debtors, creditors’ committees, trustees, landlords,...
    January 2, 2013
    Peña Selected as Co-Chair of Meritas Financial Services and Creditors' Rights and Bankruptcy Sections
    January 2, 2013 Norris McLaughlin, P.A. 721 Route 202-206 P.O. Box 5933 Bridgewater, NJ 08807-5933 Contact: Edward C. Miller, Jr. Chief Marketing Officer (908) 722-0700 x4224 ecmillerjr@nmmlaw.com Peña Selected as Co-Chair of Meritas Financial Services and Creditors' Rights and Bankruptcy Sections Bridgewater, NJ (January 2, 2013) – Melissa A. Peña, a Partner with Norris McLaughlin,...
    May 18, 2011
    Melissa A. Peña Selected as Meritas Young Lawyer Liaison
    May 18, 2011 Norris McLaughlin, P.A. 721 Route 202-206, Suite 200 P.O. Box 5933 Bridgewater, NJ 08807-5933 Contact: Edward C. Miller, Jr. Chief Marketing Officer (908) 722-0700 x4224 ecmillerjr@nmmlaw.com Melissa A. Peña Selected as Meritas Young Lawyer Liaison Bridgewater, NJ (May 18, 2011) – Melissa A. Peña, an Associate with Norris McLaughlin, P.A. in its...


    Blog

    April 13, 2020
    Small Business Reorganization Act: The Vaccine for Small Businesses Suffering From the COVID-19 Pandemic
    March 28, 2020
    Inside the CARES Act: Changes to the Bankruptcy Code Under the CARES Act
    March 18, 2020
    COVID-19 Is Destroying Our Economy, Don’t Let It Destroy Your Businesses
    March 29, 2020
    Inside the CARES Act: Changes to the Bankruptcy Code Under the CARES Act
    March 30, 2020
    Inside the CARES Act: Changes to the Bankruptcy Code Under the CARES Act


    Publications

    • Mentioned, “Norris McLaughlin Appoints David Roberts as Chair,” New Jersey Business Magazine, May 11, 2021
    • “2021 Outlook,” Turnarounds & Workouts, January 2021
    • “Year in Review,” Turnarounds & Workouts, December 2020
    • Featured and Quoted, “Law firm names attorney to management committee,” Hunterdon County Democrat, August 9, 2020
    • Featured and Quoted, “Norris McLaughlin Elects Melissa Peña to Management Committee,” Philadelphia citybizlist, August 3, 2020
    • Featured and Quoted, “Norris McLaughlin Elects Melissa Peña to Management Committee,” New York citybizlist, August 3, 2020
    • “Chapter 11’s New Subchapter V: What You Need to Know About the SBRA” New Jersey Law Journal, February 6, 2020
    • Quoted, “Vigilance – before and after – helps if customer goes bankrupt,” Lehigh Valley Business, May 5, 2014
    • “Foreclosure Delays Require Creative Solutions,” WithumSmith + Brown, P.C. Newsletter, November 2010
    December 1, 2021
    Navigating COVID-Era Moratoriums
    November 8, 2021
    Meritas Week 2021
    May 14, 2021
    Restructuring the Bankruptcy Bar: Strategies to Increase Diversity
    January 8, 2021
    Before the Deluge: Preparing for the Anticipated Rise in Bankruptcy Filings
    September 2, 2020
    The Pandemic Recovery: Debt Recovery Options Facing New York’s Restaurant Industry
    • “Before the Deluge: Preparing for the Anticipated Rise in Bankruptcy Filings,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Webinar, January 28, 2021
    • “The Pandemic Recovery: Debt Recovery Options Facing New York’s Restaurant Industry,” New York State Restaurant Association, Webinar, September 15, 2020
    • “Chapter 11’s New Subchapter V: What You Need to Know About the SBRA,” New Jersey Law Journal, February 6, 2020
    • “Bankruptcy Topics for the Non-Bankruptcy Practitioner,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Allentown, Pennsylvania, June 13, 2018
    • “Bankruptcy Topics for the Non-Bankruptcy Practitioner,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, NJ, May 7, 2018
    • “Corporate Bankruptcy 101 and Select Bankruptcy Issues,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, New Jersey, March 24, 2009
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