The Last Word

Double Hoo Melissa Hutson ’01 (College ’98) has reached the upper echelons of law practice in private equity financing.  

Among the deals she has worked on are Bain Capital and Hellman & Freidman’s $17 billion acquisition of athenahealth, Blackstone’s $1.6 billion acquisition of Interior Logic Group, and AbbVie’s $63 billion acquisition of Allergan. She joined Kirkland in 2015, after first rising through the ranks and becoming partner at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.

Tell us a little about what a typical day might be like for you.

One of the things I like most about my job is that every day is different. My work varies wildly from representing large-cap sponsors on multibillion-dollar transactions to representing companies on small financings. I’m also a member of Kirkland’s executive committee and help lead the U.S. debt finance group, so I have a fair amount of management duties that keep me busy as well. Truly, no day is the same, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What makes a good private equity lawyer?

Fundamentally, we are in the client service business. We need to be responsive to our clients’ demands, while proactively advising them on risks and considerations they have not yet contemplated. Ultimately, our clients want to get the deal done, so being commercial, constructive and creative in our approach is critical to achieving a successful outcome for our clients.

What were the secrets to your success?

I’ve found success, first and foremost, by working hard. The best way to improve as a transactional lawyer is to get lots of reps, and I’ve been fortunate to have done thousands of transactions throughout my 23-year career alongside the brightest, most sophisticated, most knowledgeable colleagues and clients. In addition to being committed to the job, it’s important to me to always be kind and respectful to everyone with whom I work — my clients, my peers and attorneys who work for me. When you do your part to make a fairly difficult job as enjoyable as possible, everyone benefits.

Your father, John Hutson, was the judge advocate general of the Navy. How did being in a military family shape you?

As a young lawyer, my father was my No. 1 professional inspiration. He was passionate about his career and incredibly dedicated, while also being a wonderful father and husband. He was very driven but never compromised his morals and ethics, and prioritized doing good. I’ve always strived to live up to his example. Being in the military, we moved around every couple of years, which forced me to deal with change and the unknown. I was constantly put into new situations with people I didn’t know, and it taught me to hone my interpersonal skills. This has served me well in my law career.

What lessons learned at UVA and/or UVA Law have served you well?

UVA taught me to be a truly well-rounded lawyer. I not only received an amazing education, but also got involved in numerous activities at the Law School outside the classroom. This allowed me to see the bigger picture and understand how I could effect change in different ways. At Kirkland, we love to hire UVA Law students because they are the full package—bright, knowledgeable and have strong interpersonal skills.

What do you do to decompress from your work life?

Spending time with my husband, Matt, and our three daughters, Eloise, Adelaide and Georgia, brings me immeasurable joy. Witnessing my daughters grow, learn and explore the world together fills my heart with a sense of pride and fulfillment. My family is a constant gentle reminder of what truly matters.

You have the last word. What do you want to say?

After decades of practicing law, I know this to be true: The most successful lawyers are those who are genuinely interested in what they do. Don’t be afraid to take every opportunity you get and discover what fulfills you.