Melissa M. Root is a bankruptcy attorney experienced in sizeable bankruptcy cases. She frequently represents parties in large complex bankruptcy litigation matters and also frequently represents debtors and trustees in Chapter 11 cases. Ms. Root is a member of the firm’s Bankruptcy, Workout and Corporate Reorganization, Bankruptcy Litigation and ERISA Litigation practices. In addition, she is the co-chair of the firm's Hiring Executive Committee, a member of the Women’s Forum Steering Committee and served as co-chair of the firm’s 2013 Summer Program.

In addition to her corporate restructuring and bankruptcy litigation practice, Ms. Root devotes significant time to pro bono work, including recently representing a federal habeas petitioner before the Seventh Circuit and a domestic violence community organization in its bankruptcy. She is also active in many professional organizations, including the Chicago Network of the International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation, for which she served as a member of the board of directors for many years, including holding the position of chair. Ms. Root also serves as the programming chair of the Bankruptcy & Insolvency Litigation Committee of the American Bar Association and as a member of the Bench/Bar Liaison Committee for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois. In 2011, Ms. Root was selected to participate in the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judge’s inaugural Next Generation program. In 2009, she was part of the American Bankruptcy Institute’s planning committee for the inaugural Mid-Level Professional Development Program in Chicago.

PRACTICE GROUPS
Bankruptcy, Workout and Corporate Reorganization

Complex Bankruptcy Litigation

ERISA Litigation

EDUCATION
University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 2003; cum laude

Bowling Green State University, B.A., 2000; magna cum laude

BAR ADMISSIONS
Illinois, 2006

Indiana, 2003

COURT ADMISSIONS
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 2005

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana, 2003

U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, 2003

U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 2011

U.S. Supreme Court, 2013