Melissa Wu's Page

What motivated you (or your organization) to become involved in peace and conflict resolution?

To better the world and help other human beings who are less fortunate.

Please feel free to provide a short bio about yourself or the work of your organization (no more than 3 paragraphs)

University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law, Juris Doctor, 2009

UDC-DACSL Government Accountability Project Clinic, 2009
Performed legal research on sovereign immunity issues and prepared legal summaries, including recommended course of action for whisleblower clients; cataloged documents received from FOIA request and assisted in preparing subsequent requests for information.

UDC-DACSL Community Development Clinic, 2008
Advised clients on non-profit entities and for-profit business structures through legal research of complex legal issues and prepared advice memoranda to clients; assisted clients in determining the best structure to fit the client's needs; prepared non-profit organizational documents, a LLC operating agreement and business contracts; advised clients regarding basic tax law, zoning, licensing requirements, intellectual property and other legal issues; researched trademarks and prepared trademark applications.

American University, Washington College of Law, Academy of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
Specialized Human Rights Program, May 2009
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Humanitarian Law

Bar-Ilan University, Pepperdine University School of Law & Whittier Law School, July 2009
Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Legal Traditions; Holocaust, Genocide and the Law; and Globalization and the Law.

American University Cairo & Seton Hall University
Summer Program in Cairo, 2008
Islamic Law, International Human Rights and International Criminal Law.

UDC-DACSL, Law and Justice Community Service Program, 2006-2007; Volunteered for Court Watch Program, monitored criminal and civil judicial domestic violence proceedings.
Volunteered for Christian Legal Aid of DC, Central Union Mission Clinic, assisted in client intake.

George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
Master’s of Arts in International Commerce and Policy, May 1998
Concentration in international trade law and finance; 3.7 GPA

George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
Teacher's Assistant, China, Hong Kong and Thailand in the Global Economy, May 1997
Taught a cross-cultural communication class to fellow graduate students during a month long study abroad course held in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Bangkok.

University of Maryland, University College, College Park, Maryland
Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies, May 1995
Cum Laude; 3.9 GPA.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Marriott International, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland
Senior Technology Contracts Manager, April 2004 to August 2006

Lead and manage large scale negotiations with a consistent ability to deliver results under difficult conditions, demonstrating balanced judgment under pressure.
Interpret Marriott’s business requirements to ensure compliance with internal policies and procedures and make certain that all requirements are accurately captured in contracts, statements of work and other legal documentation.
Proactively communicate with various Marriott internal departments and act as a liaison between key business stakeholders and vendors, effectively articulating Marriott’s position regarding expectations and standards to vendors.
Elucidate complex contract provisions, evaluate enterprise risks and handle complex financial/accounting issues.
Serve in a leadership role in issue resolution and dispute mediation between Marriott and vendors.

Marriott International, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland
International Lodging Operations Senior Paralegal, October 1997 to April 2004

Served as primary legal support point of contact for regional International Lodging Operations executives and hotel managers located in the Asia-Pacific region.
Analyzed and interpreted management agreements and other hotel operating agreements to effectively respond to inquiries from regional and hotel executives.
Drafted and assisted with negotiating legal and business terms for vendor contracts, concession contracts, restaurant leases, space leases, equipment leases, confidentiality contracts, release and settlement agreements, collections matters, guest issues, demand letters, and group sales contracts.
Managed data protection registration and compliance requirements of foreign branches and subsidiaries in the European Union.
Conducted legal training seminars on contract drafting and negotiation, and the basics of hotel and contract law.

Please list the countries and/or regions in which you (or your organization) have direct and significant expertise

Africa, Asia, & Middle East

What is your current country of residence (or location of your organization)?

United States

What is your current job (and organization) and/or where and what field are you studying?

JD Candidate,UDC-David A Clarke School of Law

Which are your primary sectoral areas of expertise (or the primary sectoral areas of your organization) ?

Alternative Dispute Resolution, Conflict Resolution, Conflict Mainstreaming, Culture, Development, Diplomacy, Gender, Internally Displaced, Organizational Development, Refugees, Rule of Law, Terrorism

Which are your primary skills areas(or the primary skill areas of your organization)?

Advocacy

What are some of your current areas of research (if any)?

Law and religion. Religious freedom.