Ms. Junge regularly assists clients with NCLB implementation and compliance issues, particularly in the areas of monitoring, assessments, accountability (AYP), professional qualifications, and fiscal requirements. She assists state and local education agencies in confronting practical implementation challenges that arise from NCLB and federal grants management requirements.

Ms. Junge has particular experience assisting state departments of education with federal audits, from the initial adverse audit determination to its ultimate resolution. Melissa Junge also conducts "mock audits" with clients to improve compliance with federal requirements. Ms. Junge also has significant experience with the Cooperative Audit Resolution and Oversight Initiative (CAROI), a method of alternative dispute resolution used by the U.S. Department of Education.

In addition, Ms. Junge has advised charter schools on obtaining federal funds, addressing audit concerns, and managing other federal legal requirements. She has worked with state charter school offices to ensure that they understand the obligations and oversight functions that state education agencies have with respect to public charter schools.

Ms. Junge co-authored the manual, The Charter School Guide to Federal Funds and Legal Responsibilities: A Roadmap to Federal Resources and Requirements, which outlines the major federal programs available to charter schoois, the manner in which NCLB affects charter schools, and other federal fiscal and legal requirements with which charter schools must comply. Ms. Junge regularly contributes to the Title I Monitor and is a regular speaker at conferences.

As senior counsel, Melissa Junge is also responsible for the mentoring and training of new associates hired by the firm. Melissa Junge graduated from American University's Washington College of Law in 1996, where she served as the Associate Editor of the American University Law Review. Prior to joining Brustein & Manasevit, Ms. Junge clerked for an administrative law judge at the U.S. Department of Labor. Ms. Junge graduated with honors from Kenyon College in 1993.