Melissa Welebir Kuhn
Partner – Orange County Office
melissa@forumllp.com
melissa.kuhn@dfdl.com
Practice Areas
International Trade & Tariff Strategy | Cross-Border Business Transactions | Complex Commercial Transactions
Overview
Melissa Welebir Kuhn is a partner at Forum Law Partners LLP and leads the firm’s Orange County practice. With nearly 30 years of legal experience, Melissa advises U.S. and international clients on cross-border transactions, global trade regulations, and international compliance matters. Her practice is rooted in strategic counsel and grounded in a deep understanding of global market dynamics.
Melissa also serves as Of Counsel to DFDL, a leading international law firm with a strong presence throughout Southeast Asia. Through this collaboration, she advises clients across ASEAN jurisdictions on U.S. law, tariff exposure, and cross-border regulatory challenges. She is an active member of DFDL’s Tariff and Trade Group and works closely with regional stakeholders in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and beyond.
Known for her global perspective and love for working with people, Melissa is particularly skilled at helping clients navigate complex commercial transactions involving multiple legal systems and regulatory frameworks.
International Practice & Legal Affiliations
Melissa is licensed to practice law in California and is a member of the State Bar of California. She is also an active participant in global legal networks, including:
- The International Law Section of the California Lawyers Association
- The American Bar Association
- The Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA)
Her involvement in these organizations reflects her ongoing commitment to global legal advocacy and transnational legal practice.
Academic Background
Melissa holds both a Juris Doctor and a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Southern California. Her interdisciplinary training equips her with a strong analytical foundation in both legal doctrine and international affairs. Melissa is proficient in Spanish.
Personal & Professional Interests
In addition to her legal work, Melissa is the founder of The Alpine Sea, a Wyoming-based platform that blends law, creativity, and lifestyle advocacy. She, alongside her partner Tom Mills, serves as counsel to the legal division of The Alpine Sea. Melissa previously served as legal counsel to a sports company dedicated to the professional beach volleyball sector. Before her legal career, she was a writer and editor for Surfer Magazine under the editorial leadership of Steve Hawk.
Melissa is also a musician and aspiring fiction writer with a passion for coastal living and global travel. She enjoys skiing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and spending time outdoors with her husband and two sons. She is an active member of the Surfrider Foundation and Protect Our Winters.
Education
- J.D. University of Southern California, Gould School of
Law - M.A. International Relations, USC School of International
Relations - B.A. History