Charleston, WV
600 Quarrier Street
Charleston, WV 25301
T: (304) 347-1755
F: (304) 347-2196

J.D., cum laude, Harvard Law School (1983)

B.S., summa cum laude, University of Vermont (1978)

  • Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Photo of Melody A. Simpson

Melody A. Simpson

Special Counsel

Melody Simpson focuses her practice in the areas of employee benefits, executive compensation and ERISA, with particular emphasis on qualified retirement plans (including governmental plans) and executive compensation, including 409A non-qualified deferred compensation issues.

Melody represents both private and governmental employers and plan administrators, advising them on compliance issues related to their qualified retirement plans. Melody regularly assists clients with plan document review and analysis to ensure operational compliance, and prepares plan amendments to reflect updates in the law or client's desired changes. Melody has helped clients on numerous occasions with determination letter applications and voluntary correction filings with the Internal Revenue Service. She has counseled clients when their qualified plans have been selected for audit by the Internal Revenue Service, interfacing with the IRS Agent to negotiate and achieve audit closure.

A longtime volunteer with Read Aloud West Virginia, Melody is the immediate Past Chairman of the Board, serving in that role from 2018-2021; she remains a current Board member. Melody does a limited amount of non-profit/charities work, particularly with community foundations.

Professional Highlights

  • Met requirements of Certified Public Accountant, in 1984 (not currently certified)

  • Named to The Best Lawyers in America ® (Employee Benefits ERISA Law; and Non-Profit / Charities Law), 2010-present
  • Named Best Lawyers' Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Lawyer of the Year for southern region of West Virginia, 2021
  • Named Best Lawyers' Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Lawyer of the Year for southern region of West Virginia, 2016
  • Named Best Lawyers' Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Lawyer of the Year for southern region of West Virginia, 2012
  • Read Aloud West Virginia (Board Member, Volunteer Reader and Immediate Past Chairman of the Board)
  • Westminster Foundation of West Virginia (Former Board Member)
  • Presbytery of West Virginia (Former Member of the Missions Committee and New Life Grant Committee)