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Melissa S. Watkins

Education

  • J.D. West Virginia University
    M.A. West Virginia University
    B.S. Fairmont State University

Bar Admissions

  • West Virginia


Melissa S. Watkins
Member

Melissa S. Watkins
Member

Melissa Watkins concentrates her practice in the areas of taxation, business and commercial planning, non-profit tax issues, and other areas related to the establishment and operation of non-profit organizations.  She is also a licensed certified public accountant.

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

  • Managed substantial documentation in complex investigation by the FBI of a major tax-exempt client
  • Business planning for a wide variety of tax-exempt and nonprofit organizations, including complex structures such as mergers and joint ventures between for-profit and nonprofit organizations
  • Represented taxpayers including individuals and nonprofit organizations before the Internal Revenue Service and the West Virginia State Tax Department

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • 2000
    Steptoe & Johnson
  • 1998-2000
    Assistant Controller, West Virginia University
  • 1996-1998
    Manager Budget Accounting, West Virginia Network (WVNET)
  • 1993-1996
    Senior Accountant, West Virginia University

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS / AWARDS

  • Undergraduate magna cum laude, Fairmont State College
  • 2009 Young Lawyer of the Year, West Virginia State Bar
  • The Best Lawyers in America®
  • Adjunct Lecturer, College of Business & Economics, West Virginia University
  • West Virginia Society of CPAs

INDUSTRY / CIVIC MEMBERSHIPS

  • Volunteer, Chestnut Ridge Church
  • Volunteer, Morgantown Hospice
  • Volunteer, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
  • Bylaws Committee, Fairmont State Foundation, Inc.
  • Board of Directors, Bioscience Association of West Virginia
  • Executive Committee, Fairmont State Foundation, Inc.
  • Board of Directors, Fairmont State Foundation, Inc.
  • Secretary, Bioscience Association of West Virginia
  • Board of Directors, Servant Song Ministries
  • The Living Room of Morgantown

PUBLICATIONS / SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

  • "New Form 990," Division of Social Work at West Virginia University Workship, 2008, 2009
  • "Governance of Nonprofit Organizations," Division of Social Work at West Virginia University Workshop, 2007
  • "Principles of Accounting/Financing Statements 101 for Nonprofits and Audits," Division of Social Work at West Virginia University, 2006-2008
  • "Form 990," Wheeling Chapter of CPAs, 2008
  • "Taxation of Settlements and Judgments," West Virginia Bar Association, 2006
  • "Today’s Issues Concerning Nonprofits," West Virginia Public Accountants Association, 2005