Mel is the firm’s founder and managing partner. Mel founded the firm after working for many years as an M&A partner in a big law firm and as General Counsel of a for-profit company and a non-profit trade association. His goal for the firm is to use cost-efficient fee arrangements that allow him to work closely with the business leaders at his clients on a regular basis for an extended period of time, much like a full-time, in-house general counsel would. This allows him to develop long-term working relationships with his clients, get to know their business, and understand their goals, objectives, priorities and tolerance for risk. This results in better legal work that fits the unique needs and preferences of each client. Ultimately, Mel wants to be your trusted and valued legal and business counselor.
Prior to founding Tull Law, PLC, Mel served in various legal and business leadership roles, including:
an independent commercial insurance agency with 300 employees in 30 offices in three states that is privately owned by 30 community banks. Mel spearheaded the company’s roll-up acquisition strategy completing more than 20 acquisitions that more than doubled the company’s revenue in a few short years. He was a member of the senior leadership team where he applied a collaborative, results-oriented leadership style and critical thinking to strategic planning and day-to-day business decisions affecting the company’s organization, operations, efficiency, and profitability. As General Counsel, he advised the board and management on corporate governance, handled employment matters, reviewed material contracts and leases, developed company policies for regulatory compliance, guided vendor management, and managed litigation through outside firms and insurance carriers.
a non- profit trade association for the banking industry in Virginia. Mel advised on legal matters and regulatory compliance for the Association and its member banks, and advocated for the banking industry in the state and federal legislatures and regulatory agencies.
a national corporate law firm. Mel led mergers & acquisitions and financial transactions for clients of all sizes, and advised boards of directors on corporate governance, and provided general corporate and securities legal representation to public and private companies.
a non-profit charity. For seven months, Mel oversaw the organization’s foster care adoption services and programs supporting young people who age out of foster care while the Board conducted a search process for a permanent CEO.
Prior to attending law school, Mel passed the CPA exam and sharpened his business advisory skills working as a consultant for Arthur Andersen, a nation accounting firm.
Prior to attending college, Mel developed his disciplined, hardworking style by enlisting in the U.S. Army for several years.
Mel is actively involved in various community organizations, including:
a non-partisan organization that brings together leaders in business, government and non-profits from across Virginia to study the regional strengths, differences, opportunities and challenges facing the Commonwealth of Virginia.
a non-partisan organization that brings together leaders in business, government and non-profits from across the Richmond, Virginia metropolitan area to study the opportunities and challenges facing the Richmond region.
a non-profit charity that recruits, screens, trains, and supervises volunteers who serve as court appointed special advocates (CASAs) advocating in court on behalf of abused and neglected children.
a non-profit agency that arranges adoptions for children in foster care and provides transition support for young adults who age out of foster care without being adopted.
In his free time, Mel enjoys participating in triathlons, hiking, skiing, and exploring national parks.
We strive to be your trusted legal and business counselor. Our mission is to provide the professionalism of a big law firm, the business savvy of an in-house general counsel, at efficient value-oriented rates.