Melissa Jarel

Melissa Jarel, Esq. currently serves as the Executive Director of Legal at Heron Therapeutics, Inc., beginning in January 2024. Prior to this role, Melissa held various legal positions at Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from October 2016 to December 2023, including Associate General Counsel and Legal Counsel. Melissa’s early experiences include serving as a Research Assistant at UNC School of Law, where research focused on whistleblower protections related to the SEC, and legal externships with Red Hat and Chiesi USA, Inc., emphasizing compliance and employee relations. Melissa also contributed to legal mentorship through the Hispanic National Bar Association Legal Education Fund and further developed legal skills as a law clerk at Willson Jones Carter Baxley. Melissa earned a Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Florida State University.