• Northwestern University School of Law, J.D., 1992
  • Wellesley College, A.B., 1989 (Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa and Durant Scholar)
  • University of British Columbia, 1987-1988 (Class 1 Standing)
  • Minnesota
  • California

Melissa Krasnow

Partner

Minneapolis, Minnesota

MKrasnow@vlplawgroup.com

+1 312 350 1082

Melissa Krasnow is recognized by Chambers in Global Privacy & Data Security: Cybersecurity and Global Privacy & Data Security: Privacy and USA-Nationwide Privacy & Data Security: Cybersecurity and USA-Nationwide Privacy & Data Security: Privacy (VLP was ranked as a firm in California: Technology) in 2026, Global Privacy & Data Security and USA – Nationwide Privacy & Data Security: Cybersecurity and USA – Nationwide Privacy & Data Security: Privacy in 2024 and 2025 (VLP Law Group LLP was ranked as a firm in California: Technology in 2025), USA – Nationwide Technology in 2024 and in USA-Nationwide Privacy & Data Security and USA-Nationwide Technology in 2022 and 2023 for having “an impressively well-rounded privacy practice covering counseling on issues such as CCPA, HIPAA and COPPA, as well as handling data breach incidents and enforcement matters."

She counsels companies on US federal and state privacy and security laws (HIPAA, financial services regulatory laws, education laws, Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, CPRA/other state consumer privacy laws, state biometric privacy laws, state consumer health data privacy laws, federal and state artificial intelligence (AI)/automated decision-making technology (ADMT) laws, European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and Data Privacy Framework).

Melissa advises companies on privacy, data security, AI/ADMT, big data, technology, and governance, including incident response (HIPAA and state laws, tabletop exercises, and crisis management AI and data incidents (ransomware, account takeover, business email compromise, phishing, and vulnerabilities)), preparing written information security programs, and vendor/subcontractor management. She counsels boards of directors and officers on privacy, data security, AI/ADMT, and technology risk oversight and developments, and reviews cyber liability insurance policies.

Melissa advises companies on regulatory inquiries and complying with state, federal, and international privacy, data security, AI/ADMT, advertising and marketing, governance and compliance, and regulated industry laws. She prepares website and mobile application privacy policies and terms.

Melissa works with companies on negotiating (and renegotiating in the wake of data breaches/incidents/other events) and documenting technology and commercial transactions, including master services agreements (MSAs), non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), data security addenda (DSAs), business associate agreements (BAAs), data license agreements (DLAs), GDPR and other data processing agreements (DPAs), CCPA/CPRA and other state privacy law, and AI/ADMT agreements.

In mergers and acquisitions (due diligence and agreements), she counsels companies on privacy, data security, AI/ADMT, and technology matters and on foreign investment filing obligations.

  • Northwestern University School of Law, J.D., 1992
  • Wellesley College, A.B., 1989 (Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa and Durant Scholar)
  • University of British Columbia, 1987-1988 (Class 1 Standing)
  • Minnesota
  • California

Practice Areas

Privacy
Privacy
Technology Transactions
Technology Transactions
AI Tools
AI Tools

Chambers recognition in Global Privacy & Data Security and USA – Nationwide Privacy & Data Security: Cybersecurity and USA – Nationwide Privacy & Data Security: Privacy in 2024 and 2025 (VLP Law Group LLP was ranked as a firm in California: Technology in 2025), USA – Nationwide Technology in 2024 and USA – Nationwide Privacy & Data Security and USA – Nationwide Technology – 2022 and 2023
Who’s Who in America, Women in Law – Minnesota, 2021 – present
Minnesota State Bar Association North Star Lawyer, Pro Bono Service, 2014 – 2024

  • Bloomberg Law Contributing Practitioner, Domestic Privacy Profile: Minnesota
  • Bloomberg BNA Editorial Advisor
  • International Association of Privacy Professional Appeals Board
  • International Association of Privacy Professionals – Certified Information Privacy Professional/US
  • International Risk Management Institute Expert Commentator on Privacy
  • National Association of Corporate Directors Board Leadership Fellow
  • Minnesota State Bar Foundation Director

Industry Experience