Melanie S. Rausch

Melanie is a Principal in the firm's Community Development Finance & Affordable Housing, Real Estate, Business & Corporate, Commercial Finance, and Common Interest Communities groups and represents individuals, developers, businesses, lenders, housing authorities, and various organizations in a variety of commercial real estate and corporate transactions throughout Connecticut. She also provides general corporate representation and regularly forms 501(c)(3) entities, advising clients on governance, compliance, and ongoing operational matters.

Affordable Housing

Melanie represents for-profit developers, non-profit organizations, and housing authorities in the acquisition, financing and development of affordable housing that often incorporates a variety of financing sources including, local, state and federal funding programs, tax credit equity syndication and institutional lender financing. She also provides general real estate and corporate representation to housing authorities across Connecticut.

Real Estate

Melanie’s real estate practice includes the representation of landlords and tenants in leases of office, retail and industrial properties, as well as the representation of owners and developers in construction and other development matters. She also represents financial institutions and loan portfolio purchasers in connection with distressed loan restructures, workouts and enforcement actions.

Community Involvement & Background

Active in her community, Melanie serves on the Executive Committee of the Jewish Family Services of Greater New Haven, Inc. She is a former member of the Connecticut Senate Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Prior to joining Cohen and Wolf, Melanie was a partner at a business law and litigation firm based in Hartford, Connecticut for 20 years. Before entering private practice, Melanie served as a research law clerk for Connecticut Superior Court judges in Middletown, Connecticut.

Professional Affiliations

Connecticut Bar Association

Hartford County Bar Association