Foster Garvey announced today that Melia A. Preedy has joined the firm as Of Counsel, based in Seattle. Melia’s practice will focus on advising hospitality, travel, liquor and cannabis clients on transactional, regulatory and operational matters.
“We are thrilled to have Melia join Foster Garvey. She will bring a savvy lens to many of the issues our clients face in the complex regulatory environment,” said Emily Gant, leader of Foster Garvey’s Commercial, IP & Technology group. “With the travel industry predicted to return to pre-COVID levels over the next year, Melia will be a valuable addition, deepening the breadth and depth of our group. Her shared commitment to excellence and innovation will continue to elevate the practice,” said Greg Duff, leader of the firm’s Hospitality, Travel & Tourism practice.
Prior to joining the firm, Melia was a partner at Oles Morrison Rinker & Baker LLP. In addition to her legal practice, Melia is committed to social justice and advocating for Washington’s disability community. Also deeply involved in the legal industry and local community, she is an active member of the King County Bar Association where she has presented on ethical issues in bankruptcy.
Melia’s passion for the hospitality industry traces back to her roots and continues to the present day, with grandparents who were founders and operators of a winery in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and great grandparents who were hotel developers in Seattle and Hawaii. Additionally, her fiancé is the owner of two restaurants in Seattle, Champagne Diner and Damn the Weather.
Melia received her J.D, cum laude, from the Seattle University School of Law and her B.A from the University of Washington. At the Seattle University School of Law, she served as lead article editor for the Seattle University Law Review. Since 2018, she has been consistently named as a Rising Star to the Washington Super Lawyers list.
