Melody Burton is Akerman’s inaugural Director of Connections, a visionary leadership role dedicated to architecting the Akerman Experience — ensuring an exceptional, unified culture for every attorney and professional, regardless of location or work style. As the driving force behind firmwide engagement and cohesion, Melody partners with executive leadership to design and execute transformative strategies that empower Akerman’s hybrid, remote, and in-office teams.

A nationally recognized authority in talent strategy and organizational innovation, Melody brings over two decades of experience at the highest levels of the legal and professional services industries, including leadership roles at AmLaw 20 firms. Her expertise spans talent alignment, professional development, performance optimization, and large-scale organizational transformation. Renowned for her ability to translate business vision into actionable, future-ready talent solutions, Melody has led high-performing teams, managed multimillion-dollar initiatives, and pioneered programs that set new standards for excellence and inclusivity.

As founder of her own consulting firm, she has served as a trusted advisor to leading law firms and Fortune 500 clients, building scalable talent frameworks and guiding organizations through complex change, succession planning, and leadership development.

Melody holds a B.A. with honors from DePaul University, is Hogan Certified at the advanced level, has a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and is certified in coaching through the Association for Talent Development (ATD). She has completed executive education at the Kellogg School of Management, the Center for Creative Leadership, and the Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center, underscoring her commitment to continuous innovation and world-class client and employee experiences.