Melisa Kurter

Ms. Melisa Kurter is a lawyer who possesses a unique set of competencies for addressing complex issues related to international sanctions and blocked assets. Her expertise in international criminal law, human rights, and, importantly, data governance, provides a solid foundation for advising clients facing sanctions regimes like those imposed by OFAC.

Her education is international in nature and ideally suited for navigating the intricate world of global finance and law. After earning a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Marmara University, she went on to obtain a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Transnational Crime and Justice from UNICRI (Italy) and UPEACE (Costa Rica). This program gave her an understanding of how international legal norms are created and applied, which is key to challenging the improper application of sanctions.

Ms. Kurter’s experience within UN structures is directly relevant to cases involving blocked funds. Her work in The Hague at the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) provided her with experience in analyzing complex financial and transactional data within the context of international investigations. Furthermore, her research at the UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) focused on inclusivity and the protection of vulnerable groups, a crucial legal argument when sanctions violate fundamental human rights. Her expertise in data governance and experience with criminal cases in Türkiye, including complex economic and environmental crimes, enable her to effectively analyze and challenge the grounds on which a client’s assets have been frozen.