Barnes & Thornburg Adds Corporate Partner Keith Melman in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (April 24, 2025) – Barnes & Thornburg is pleased to announce that Keith Melman has joined the firm’s Corporate Department as a partner in Los Angeles. Melman’s addition furthers the firm’s ongoing expansion of high-caliber corporate talent across the U.S.

Melman brings over two decades of experience guiding industry-leading organizations through complex legal and business challenges. Known for his attention to detail and ability to deliver results in fast-paced, high-pressure environments, Melman’s practice spans multiple sectors, including veterinary healthcare, entertainment, media, manufacturing, healthcare, and technology.

Melman most recently served as associate general counsel for Mars Science & Diagnostics, a global network of veterinary diagnostic laboratories within Mars Petcare, part of Mars, Incorporated. Previously, he was a principal legal advisor for veterinary services company VCA Inc., where he played a pivotal role in structuring and executing high-stakes transactions, including the $10 billion acquisition of VCA by Mars, Incorporated—a deal reviewed by the Federal Trade Commission. Following the transaction, Melman served as a principal legal advisor for Antech Diagnostics Inc., a division of Mars Science & Diagnostics.

“With nine new transactional partners in just the last six months, we continue to expand our corporate practice, particularly in areas such as M&A and private funds and asset management,” said Jahan Sharifi, chair of Barnes & Thornburg’s Corporate Department. “We’re excited to welcome Keith as part of this effort. With his backgrounds guiding organizations through high-value transactions, our clients will greatly benefit from his strategic counsel, innovative thinking, and ability to navigate complex legal and business challenges with clarity and confidence.”

Melman’s transaction experience is varied and sophisticated, including representing clients in public and private debt and equity offerings, mergers, stock and asset acquisitions and dispositions, credit facilities, general corporate and commercial contracts, venture financing, and joint venture agreements. In addition to his transaction work, Melman has significant experience drafting critical agreements, including supply, licensing, and joint venture contracts. He regularly advises clients on securities law, including the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, federal and state securities laws, and other corporate matters.

“Los Angeles is home to a wide array of companies, from innovative startups to some of the world’s most established and respected brands—and all of them need smart, innovative legal counsel like Keith,” said Kevin D. Rising, managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office. “His extensive connections in California, track record advising on high-stakes transactions and his ability to understand the needs of in-house teams make him a valuable addition to our office.”

Keith received his J.D. from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, and his B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles.

With more than 800 attorneys and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg is one of the largest law firms in the country. The firm serves clients worldwide from offices in Atlanta, Boston, California, Chicago, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Salt Lake City, South Florida, Texas and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit us at www.btlaw.com.