Melissa S. Blanton

Ms. Blanton is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, chair of the firm’s Finance Practice Group and a member of the Real Estate Practice Group and represents financial institutions in various types of residential, retail, and office development projects, in syndicated secured real estate credit facilities, and in the structuring, drafting, and negotiation of workout and forbearance agreements. She also represents investors and institutional clients in complex real estate sales and acquisitions. In addition, Ms. Blanton has significant experience representing landlords and tenants in commercial leasing transactions.

News & Publications

Community & Pro Bono

University of Pennsylvania Law School, Adjunct Professor, Real Estate Finance
Fleisher Art Memorial, Vice President of Board, Executive Committee Member, Investment and Finance Committees, Chair of New Building Taskforce
Support Center for Child Advocates, Volunteer Attorney
Forum of Executive Women – Membership Committee
Certified by the Miller Center for Public Interest Advocacy for work in Elder Law
Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Project

Education

Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University, J.D., cum laude, Delta Theta Phi
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, B.S., B.A., summa cum laude

Bar Admissions

New Jersey, 2003
Pennsylvania, 2003

Court Admissions

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 2004

Professional Affiliations

Fleisher, Board President
University of Pennsylvania, adjunct professor
American Bar Association, member
Philadelphia Bar Association, member
Forum of Executive Women, member

Other Distinctions

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Real Estate Law, 2021-2023*
Selected as one of Pennsylvania’s “Lawyers on the Fast Track” by The Legal Intelligencer, 2013*
Recognized by the Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia as the “Business On Board Volunteer Leader of the Year,” 2013
2016 Committee Champion Award, National Association of Women Business Owners (South Jersey Chapter)
Honored with the National Association of Women in Business Committee Champion Award, 2016
Listed in “Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Stars” for real estate, 2010-2018*
Woolsack Honorary Society, 2003
The National Association of Women Lawyers Recognition Award, 2003*

*No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Further information on methodologies is available via these links.

Representative Matters

Real Estate Practice

Representation of a developer in connection with the real estate aspects of multiple joint venture partnerships for the development of real estate throughout Philadelphia
Representation of a national bank in connection with a construction loan for the improvement of a retail shopping center
Local counsel representation in connection with financing for the construction of a car dealership in New Jersey
Representation of a lender in connection with the financing of a chain of five (5) supermarkets serving low income areas of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Construction Loan for the construction of a fitness center, a bank, and a 43,800 square foot medical office building
Representation of national bank in connection with a Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility for the construction of active adult communities throughout Pennsylvania and Virginia
Representation of landlord in the leasing of an approximately 211,000 square foot medical office building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Representation of purchaser in the acquisition and financing of a sound studio, recording company and production company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Partner