Melissa Sinopoli
Melissa Sinopoli
Director
Commercial
As a Director at MacDonnells Law, Melissa practices in the areas of corporate and commercial law and brings a commercial and pragmatic approach to solving clients’ legal problems and achieving their objectives.
Melissa has extensive experience in commercial matters and has advised private companies, public companies, not-for-profit organisations, government-owned corporations and local governments in an array of industries, working on major transactions both in Queensland and nationally. Melissa’s legal experience combined with her business acumen and Board experience gives her a unique skillset to achieve results for clients.
AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Commercial law, including advice to large unlisted companies and high growth companies
- Business acquisitions and disposals, including due diligence and mergers
- Corporate advisory, including corporate reconstructions and shareholder disputes
- Board and not for profit advisory, including governance
Qualifications & Memberships
- Admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland
- Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
- Bachelor of Laws, James Cook University
- Bachelor of Business, James Cook University
- Member, Queensland Law Society
- Member, Far North Queensland Youth Assistance Fund Inc.
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Finalist, Senior Associate of the Year, National Women in Law Awards, 2015
- James Cook University, Outstanding Early Career Alumnus, 2013
- Women Lawyers Association of Queensland, Regional Lawyer of the Year, 2012
- Finalist, The Legal People Future Star Award category, Women in Law Awards, 2012
Public Speaking Engagements
- Presentations on behalf of CPA and Queensland Law Society
- Presentation on behalf of Australian Institute of Company Directors – Annual Legal Update, 2013 – 2018
- Presentation on behalf of News Corp “Redefining Townsville”, 2016
- Presentations to various boards of directors on legal changes and governance, including Ports North and Tourism Tropical North Queensland
- Presentations to not-for-profit entities on legal changes and their compliance obligations
- Presentations to various financial institutions on the Personal Property Securities Act and legal changes, including National Australia Bank, Westpac Bank, ANZ and QCCU
- Delivering corporate governance training
- Presentations to various accounting firms and executive teams on commercial and corporate issues and legal changes
BOARD ROLES
- Former Chair, Governance Committee, Australian Diabetes Educators Association
- Former Chair, Australian Institute of Managers and Leaders, Emerging Leaders Board
- Former Chair, Meritas Australian Legal Alliance – Personal Property Securities Group
- Former Committee Member, Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee for the Roman Catholic Trust Corporation for the Diocese of Cairns
- Former Vice President, Worklink Group Limited
- Former Convenor, Cairns CBD Safety Summit
