O’Melveny Provides Support to Melanoma Research Alliance

O’Melveny has served as pro bono counsel for the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) since 2009, representing the organization in a number of legal areas. The firm’s work has included advising on research grant and intellectual property agreements, negotiating grant terms directly with recipients, reviewing trademark issues, advising on tax questions, negotiating a severance agreement, conducting an internal investigation, drafting amendments to MRA’s by-laws, re-writing the MRA employee handbook, and advising on a number of employment law issues.

In the past 15 years, MRA’s support for melanoma research and prevention has led to groundbreaking scientific discoveries, approval of countless new therapies for treating the disease, and a dramatic increase in survival rates for melanoma patients.

“It’s not often that you have the opportunity to partner with an organization that is so committed to an issue that matters to you,” O'Melveny partner Steve Brody said. MRA's mission to beat melanoma has deep meaning for Brody, who lost both his father and a close friend to the disease.