More About Melanie Urban

Summary

A professional with a strong interest in Asian culture, history and arts. Four years of informal study, research and teaching, and one year of formal study at the University of London/ British Museum in Asian art and culture. Experienced in lecturing, teaching and writing. Well versed in guiding both large and small groups on museum tours. Extensive travel throughout South Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, as well as parts of the ancient Silk Road. Twenty years litigating tax and bankruptcy cases representing the federal government.

Experience

Lecturer

Women’s Institute, Houston

2006 through the present

Topics range across the spectrum of Asian art, history and culture

Volunteer

Friends of the National Museums, Singapore 1999-2003

Docent for three museums: Asian Civilizations, Peranakan Museum, Singapore History Museum, as well as for the state-of-the-art warehouse for the Singapore museum system.

Member of training team for new museum guides.

Volunteer proofreader

British Library exhibit catalog on the Silk Road: The Silk Road: Trade, Travel, Faith, and War

Edited by Susan Whitfield

Senior Litigator / Special Assistant U.S. Attorney

Chief Counsel Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of the Treasury

1983 - 1998 and 2006 - 2011

Duties included tax and bankruptcy litigation as well as significant large case work and large case litigation; mentoring new attorneys and supervising interns; and teaching.

Education

Diploma Asian Art (with honors), Royal Holloway College, University of London / British Museum 2004

J.D.,1982, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

B.A.,1971, Purdue University (Honors Program), West Lafayette, Indiana