Melissa Gelbart
General Counsel / Privacy Specialist
New York
CA, NY
About
contracts,
privacy,
intellectual property
HR policies
employee handbooks
regulatory compliance
supply chain & operations
insurance, and dispute resolution.
I provide practical, strategic legal counsel tailored to your needs.
My approach is proactive, solutions-driven, and focused on helping you achieve your goals efficiently. Let’s work together to simplify the legal side of your business so you can concentrate on what matters most—creating, innovating, and succeeding.
client
upcounsel
experience
Practice Areas
Client Reviews
"I had the pleasure of working with Melissa on our 3PL agreement, and the experience was nothing short of fantastic. She took the time to really understand our business needs and made sure every detail was covered to protect our interests. Her expertise, responsiveness, and ability to explain complex legal terms in a clear and simple way made the entire process smooth and stress-free. If you're looking for an attorney who’s not only knowledgeable but also great to work with, Melissa is the one to call. Highly recommend!"
"Melissa was great to work with. She was knowledgeable about business laws in the USA and Canada. She took time to listen and understand my needs and was able to answer all of my questions and make next-step suggestions to help protect my small business. I would 100% recommend working with Melissa."
"Melissa was professional, efficient, and great to work with. She made the trademark process smooth and easy, answering all my questions and ensuring everything was filed correctly. Her communication was clear, and she provided great insights for future filings. I highly recommend her for anyone looking for a reliable trademark attorney!"
Work History
Food52, Inc.
General Counsel
May 2024 - Jan 2025
As GC at Food52, I revamped privacy practices with two certifications, protected IP with cease-and-desist actions, ensured FTC compliance in marketing, and overhauled HR policies with a new handbook and arbitration agreements. I led internal investigations, built a vendor portal with updated documents, launched new revenue streams, and advised on all compliance matters.
Noble House Home Furnishings
General Counsel
Jun 2018 - Nov 2023
As the first General Counsel at NHHF, I built and led the legal function during a period of rapid growth, as we reached $700M in revenue. I handled trademarks, copyrights, patents, insurance portfolio management, litigation strategy, licensing, marketing, SAAS, supply chain, privacy, Prop 65, OSHA, product liability, and HR policies/investigations, driving compliance and operational excellence.
Solomon Saltsman & Jamieson
Senior Associate
Jul 2015 - May 2018
At SSJ, I advised major clients like Bowlero, 7-Eleven, Circle K, and Chumash Casino on licensing, compliance, and corporate matters under California regulations. I also worked with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, city councils, and zoning administrators, delivering tailored guidance to navigate complex legal frameworks and achieve operational success.