Description of field of expertise

Marissa Alter-Nelson, a nationally recognized litigator, helps corporate clients secure favorable verdicts in high-stakes litigation and optimal out-of-court settlements.

Marissa guides clients in their most complex business, commercial, and financial disputes, including those relating to derivatives and securities trading, breach of fiduciary duty and other business torts, mergers and acquisitions, cybercrime and data breaches, contracts, bankruptcy. antitrust and competition, class actions and real estate. Marissa maintains an active pro bono practice and has represented individuals in post-conviction proceedings challenging capital murder convictions and in family law matters. 

Marissa was named to the 2022 “Notable Women in Law” list by Crain’s New York Business for her professional achievements, pro bono work, and involvement in industry and community organizations. She was recognized on Crain’s 2022 “Notable Black Leaders & Executives” list for her “professional and communal achievements” that have enhanced New York City, particularly in matters of diversity and inclusion. Business Insider named Marissa to their 2022 “Rising Stars of the Courtroom” list, which celebrates the achievements of 15 up-and-coming litigators in the United States.

Marissa is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. She is member of the Associates Council of Prep for Prep, an educational program that offers students of color access to private school educations, and sits on the Board of Directors for the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York. She is former adjunct professor at Fordham University School of Law.

 

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

The best advice I received as a young lawyer is that your career is long, so don’t treat it as a “job” that you clock in and out of and instead look at it as the building block for your future.  To that end, it is critical to build a strong foundation in terms of developing your skill sets and figuring out the type of lawyer you want to be.  When it comes to litigation, there are many paths you can take from a specialty perspective, and the best way to figure out what is most interesting to you is to work with many people on many tasks in many areas.  You should like what you do and finding the right path for yourself is important to achieving that.  In developing your skills, don’t be afraid to ask questions and take on new challenges—even if they are outside your comfort zone.  You will be surprised at how many people want to help you learn and grow and will appreciate your initiative.  Finally, the relationships you develop as a young lawyer can stay with you forever so be actively engaged in getting to know your peers and finding mentors.  Some of the friends I made as a junior lawyer – often by working in the trenches together – are my clients today.  So keep in touch with people and support each other so that you can grow together.