Practice areas: Business & Corporate, Closely Held Business, Real Estate
Licensed in California since: 1994
Education: Santa Clara University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2026 Melissa Sayer stands at the helm of Matilija Law in Ventura, California, where she expertly guides both individuals and corporate clients through the intricate landscapes of general business and securities law. With a keen focus on agriculture, succession planning and water-related issues, she has dedicated over three decades to empowering businesses and entrepreneurs of all sizes to flourish.
Ms. Sayer’s philosophy is simple yet profound: proactive and practical advice is the cornerstone of avoiding future legal entanglements. She is a prolific speaker and writer on corporate law and business topics, sharing her insights to help others navigate the complexities of the business world.
Additionally, Ms. Sayer’s commitment to community is evident through her active roles on the board of the Ventura County Economic Development Association and as a member of the Corporate Committee of Women's Economic Ventures (WEV). She also contributes her knowledge to the National Association of Women Business Owners and the MVS School of Business & Economics at California State University Channel Islands, among other organizations.
Ms. Sayer's journey began with her outstanding academic achievement, graduating at the top of her class from Santa Clara School of Law in 1994. She honed her skills at prestigious firms in Silicon Valley and Ventura County before founding Matilija Law, where she delivers insightful and efficient legal counsel tailored to the needs of modern businesses.
A firm believer in addressing potential issues before they escalate, Ms. Sayer is dedicated to identifying and resolving challenges early on. Her excellence in the field is recognized by her AV Preeminent peer-review rating* through Martindale-Hubbell. Outside the office, she enjoys life on her avocado ranch near Santa Paula, where she gains firsthand understanding of the hurdles faced by farmers and small businesses in the region.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Business/Corporate, Closely Held Business, Real Estate: Business- 70% Business/Corporate
- 20% Closely Held Business
- 10% Real Estate: Business
First Admitted: 1994, California
Professional Webpage: https://www.matilijalaw.com/people/melissa-sayer
Bar / Professional Activity
- Member of the Ventura County Bar Association, 2023
Transactions
- sale of apartment building one of largest real estate transactions in Ventura County, 2019
- Sale of printing business, 2023
- Termination of Water License Agreement and Amendment to Water Well Agreement, 2023
- Purchase of concrete construction business, 2022
- Sale of recycling business, 2023
- Purchase of information technology and solutions company, 2023
- formation of LLC and sale of LLC interests for real estate development, 2021
- contested buyout of ownership interests in film production company, 2023
- water well sharing agreement and water license for limited water resources, 2022
- sale of assets in foreign business to newly formed LLCs and related real estate transfer, 2022
- Sale of medical practice, 2022
Pro bono / Community Service
- member of the California State University Channel Islands Martin V Smith School of Business & Economics Business Advisory Counsel, 2023
- Community Advisory Counsel Women's Economic Ventures, 2019
- ongoing volunteer and supporter of SEEAG-Students for Eco Education and Agriculture, 2019
- ongoing volunteer and supporter of the Local Love Project Ventura County, 2022
- Guest speaker for National Association of Women Business Owners Ventura County, 2021
Other Outstanding Achievements
- founding and continuing member of the League of Extraordinary Women- Womens Economic Ventures (WEV), 2019
Honors
- Women's Economic Ventures (WEV) is a nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to empowering women and minorities in Santa Barbara & Ventura Counties for the past 30 years. The Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards are presented by WEV to celebrate and highlight the contributions of outstanding women business owner., Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award Professional Services, Women's Economic Ventures, 2020
- The highest peer rating standard. This is given to attorneys who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards by their peers., AV Preminent, Martindale-Hubbell, 2023
- The report includes the region's top female leaders, including entrepreneurs, non-profit heads and those involved in public service., Top 50 Women in Business, Pacific Coast Business Times, 2019
- The Pacific Coast Business Times recognizes the leading attorneys and certified public accountants in the Tri-Counties. They do not include in-house counsel or CFOs but do reach out to bar associations, CPA societies and prominent practitioners., who's who in professional services, Pacific Coast Business Times, 2023
Industry Groups
- Agriculture
- Commercial Real Estate
- General Business
- Manufacturing
- Professional Services
- Sales
- Water Rights
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2026
