Melissa Gross-Arnold, ESQ., B.C.S.
Shareholder
Phone: (904) 731-3800
Fax: (904) 731-3807
Email: melissa@arnoldlawfirmllc.com
With dual Florida Bar certifications as an expert in education and city, county and local government law, Melissa Gross-Arnold brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her representation of Florida public and private schools and related industries. Her practice involves a wide range of legal topics, including charter applications and appeals, charter contract negotiation and compliance, public and private school funding and operations, contract negotiations, student discipline, special education and due process, school employment matters, site acquisition and financing, transactional due diligence and Florida’s Sunshine and Public Records laws. She also consults with clients regarding board governance, legal entity formation and strategic organization.
Ms. Gross-Arnold regularly serves as borrower’s counsel to public and private schools in multi-million dollar facilities financing transactions. These often highly complex transactions involve a combination of education, finance and real estate law. As borrower’s counsel, she places an emphasis on school leadership’s understanding of the transaction and compliance after closing.
A frequent speaker at the Florida Charter School Conference + School Choice Summit, Ms. Gross-Arnold most recently presented at the Florida Charter School Governance Conference, presented by the Florida Charter Support Unit, and the national Alliance of Public Charter School Attorneys. She also serves on the Florida Bar’s Education Law Certification Committee and is a member of Florida Women in Public Finance.
A native Floridian, Ms. Gross-Arnold is married to fellow Shareholder Shawn Arnold, and they have one son who currently attends the University of Florida. She enjoys, hiking, running and reading science fiction.