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 Martorella Geraaci Law Firm

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
Crystal Ball Predictions for 2023
2021 Predictions Revisited in Q4 2022
2021 Predictions Revisited in Q4 2022
California Foreclosures – Strategies for Lenders
California Foreclosures – Strategies for Lenders
private lending industry
Title Insurance 101: What You Need to Know About Title Insurance
loan documents
The Impact of Rising Interest Rates on Long Term Rental/DSCR Loans
Articles and News
Closing Protection Letters: When And Why They Are Important
Real estate developers
9 Things to Expect in 2022: The Crystal Ball | Presented By the Geraci Partners
Cross-Collateral Loans
Cross-Collateral Loans: What Are They and How Do They Work?
Mechanic's Liens
Protecting Your Lien Priority from Mechanic's Liens
Navigating Gap Closings
Effectively Navigating Gap Closings
Importance of Warranty Deeds
The Importance of Warranty Deeds
Preliminary Title Reports
The Basics of Preliminary Title Reports
Office Developers
Office Developers to See an Increase in Demand
Marketing
Yes, Marketing Is THAT Important
CALIFORNIA-FORECLOSURES
California Foreclosures - Strategies for 2021
Recording Process
Making Sense of the Recording Process and Why You Should Record
Usury and Forbearances
Usury and Forbearances in California
Forbearance Agreements 101
Forbearance Agreements 101 – What To Do When Your Borrower Can’t Pay
Home Rehabilitations
The Market is Hot for Home Rehabilitations
Construction Loan Considerations
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
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
experienced litigators
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-borrower-lender-geraci
Forbearance Agreements 101 - What to Do When Your Borrower Can't Pay

Webinars

Options After Default: California Foreclosure, Default Interest, Loss Mitigation, and Recourse
private lending
Workouts 101 – Forbearances, Modifications, And Other Loss Mitigation Strategies: What To Do When Your Borrower Can’t Pay
Attorneys
Options After Default: Judicial vs. Non-Judicial Foreclosures in California
Construction Loan Considerations for Private Lenders
topics
Melissa Martorella from Geraci Law Firm Talks Business Purpose Lending 101
private
Common Title Policy Endorsements Every Lender Needs to Know
businesses
California Usury 101: What Interest Rate Can You Charge?
legal topics
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
loan documents
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
Contact Melissa C. Martorella, Esq.
We represent financial institutions and real estate professionals.
Unfortunately, we do not represent consumers.