Our Professional Team

Melissa C. Martorella, Esq.

PARTNER, DEPARTMENT HEAD
BANKING AND FINANCE

Bar Admissions

California

Education

J.D., University of California, Irvine School of Law

B.A., Boston College

M.A.T., Tufts University

Awards

Melissa C. Martorella, Esq.

PARTNER, DEPARTMENT HEAD
BANKING AND FINANCE at GERACI LLP

Melissa C. Martorella, Esq.

PARTNER, DEPARTMENT HEAD
BANKING AND FINANCE

Areas of Practice

Lending Compliance

Foreclosure & Loss Mitigation

Loan Document Preparation

About

Melissa Martorella is a Partner and Department Head of Geraci LLP’s Banking and Finance practice group. Ms. Martorella manages a large team of attorneys and loan processors in the preparation of loan documents and related transactional documents. Her practice primarily revolves around the representation of nationwide mortgage professionals and providing for their transactional documentation needs. She also provides the compliance advice necessary to navigate mortgage lending transactions in all fifty states. Ms. Martorella also leads the firm’s non-judicial foreclosure practice and advises clients on all default related matters.

Ms. Martorella has been recognized by her peers in the legal community as a Super Lawyers® Rising Star from 2018-2022. Only 2.5% of attorneys receive this distinction.

Distinctions

2022 Southern California Rising Star
2021 Southern California Rising Star
2020 Southern California Rising Star
2019 Southern California Rising Star
2018 Southern California Rising Star

Associations & Memberships

American Association of Private Lenders, General Counsel

Articles

Crystal Ball Predictions for 2023

2021 Predictions Revisited in Q4 2022

California Foreclosures – Strategies for Lenders

Title Insurance 101: What You Need to Know About Title Insurance

The Impact of Rising Interest Rates on Long Term Rental/DSCR Loans

Closing Protection Letters: When And Why They Are Important

9 Things to Expect in 2022: The Crystal Ball | Presented By the Geraci Partners

Cross-Collateral Loans: What Are They and How Do They Work?

Protecting Your Lien Priority from Mechanic's Liens

Effectively Navigating Gap Closings

The Importance of Warranty Deeds

The Basics of Preliminary Title Reports

Office Developers to See an Increase in Demand

Yes, Marketing Is THAT Important

California Foreclosures - Strategies for 2021

Making Sense of the Recording Process and Why You Should Record

Usury and Forbearances in California

Forbearance Agreements 101 – What To Do When Your Borrower Can’t Pay

The Market is Hot for Home Rehabilitations

Construction Loan Considerations: Five Best Practices for Lenders

What’s Wrong with Exceptions on Your Title Insurance Policy?

The Key to Avoiding Funding Delays

Title Insurance Protections for Lenders in California

Cannabis Industry Primed for Growth in 2021

The Impact of Cannabis Legalization on U.S. Real Estate

Rental Demand Plummets in Urban Centers Due to COVID-19

2020: Looking Back to Understand How to Move Forward

Usury Law 101: 5 Things to Know about Usury

Loan Agreement Basics: A Guide to Who’s Who in a Loan

5 Things New Lenders Should Know About Hard Money Loans

5 Types of Guarantees

Commercial Loan Basics: What Small Business Owners Need to Know When Seeking Alternative Financing

Market Update: Status of Residential Bridge Loans

Understanding Deeds of Trust and Their Benefits

Trademarks: The Basics

Opportunity Zones – A Great Opportunity for Bridge Lenders

Multifamily Commercial Real Estate Consistently Proves Its Worth

California Judiciary’s Handling of Contractually Agreed-Upon Force Majeure Clauses

Understanding the California Nonjudicial Foreclosure Process

Understanding Forbearances

[COVID-19] 5 Terms to Include in Your Servicing Agreement with Lenders If You Are Brokering Loans

[COVID-19] Implications for California Tenant-Landlord Relationships

[COVID-19] HUD Issues Guidance on CARES Act Forbearance Protocol

[COVID-19] Early Payment Defaults in Loan Sales

[COVID-19] Impact on Mortgage Lenders and Servicers in the U.S., and How to Mitigate Risks

[COVID-19] IRS Guidance for 1031 Extensions Marred by Ambiguity

[COVID-19] California Foreclosures 101 - Strategies for Defaulted Loans

[COVID-19] Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure – What You Need to Know

[COVID-19] What Lasting Effects Will COVID-19 Have on CRE Lending?

Forbearance Agreements 101 - What to Do When Your Borrower Can't Pay

Webinars

Options After Default: California Foreclosure, Default Interest, Loss Mitigation, and Recourse

Workouts 101 – Forbearances, Modifications, And Other Loss Mitigation Strategies: What To Do When Your Borrower Can’t Pay

Options After Default: Judicial vs. Non-Judicial Foreclosures in California

Construction Loan Considerations for Private Lenders

Melissa Martorella from Geraci Law Firm Talks Business Purpose Lending 101

Common Title Policy Endorsements Every Lender Needs to Know

California Usury 101: What Interest Rate Can You Charge?

AB 3088 & SB 1079: Fundamentally Modified Foreclosures in CA – What Lenders Need to Know

California Foreclosures 101: Strategies for Defaulted Loans

Forbearance Agreements 101: What To Do When Your Borrower Can't Pay

Managing Loan Defaults during the COVID-19 Crisis

COVID-19 Opportunity: Making Owner Occupied Business Purpose Loans

What Your Attorney Didn't Tell You: Consumer Laws that Apply to Business Purpose Loans

Nationwide Lending and Licensing: What Every Private Lender Needs to Know

Navigating Tenant Issues: Lending to a Borrower with Tenants

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We represent financial institutions and real estate professionals.
Unfortunately, we do not represent consumers.

Our Professional Team

Melissa C. Martorella, Esq.

Bar Admissions

Education

Awards

Melissa C. Martorella, Esq.

Melissa C. Martorella, Esq.

Areas of Practice

About

Distinctions

Associations & Memberships

Articles

Webinars

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