Melissa Holyoak

Melissa Ann Holyoak (born October 6, 1976) is an American lawyer who has served as the United States Attorney for the District of Utah since 2025. She served as a commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from 2024 to 2025 and as the solicitor general of Utah from 2020 to 2024. She is a member of the Republican Party.

Early life and education Holyoak was born Melissa Ann Watkins on October 6, 1976, in Boise, Idaho.

Career After graduating from law school, Holyoak was an associate in the Washington, D.C. office of the law firm O'Melveny & Myers from 2003 to 2008 while her husband attended medical school in Baltimore. After spending several years as a homemaker while raising her and her husband's young children, Holyoak became a part-time public interest attorney with the Center for Class Action Fairness in 2012.

In September 2020, Holyoak became the Utah Solicitor General with the Utah Attorney General’s Office, where she managed the civil appeals, criminal appeals, constitutional defense and special litigation, and antitrust and data privacy divisions. Her nomination was confirmed by the Senate on March 7, 2024. thumb

Tenure In May 2024, Holyoak dissented when the Commission conditioned approval of the $64.5 billion acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources by ExxonMobil upon the prohibition of founder Scott D. Sheffield from the company's board.

In May 2024, Holyoak dissented when the Commission decided to proceed to trial in its challenge to the $24.6 billion proposed acquisition of Albertsons by Kroger.

In June 2024, Holyoak, dissented when the Commission issued a final rule banning non-compete clauses in most employment contracts. In August 2024, U.S. District Judge Ada Brown issued a nationwide injunction prohibiting enforcement of the rule.

In September 2024, Holyoak dissented when the Commission conditioned approval of the $53 billion acquisition of Hess Corporation by Chevron Corporation upon the prohibition of John B. Hess from the company's board.

Personal life Holyoak's husband, Joshua Holyoak, is a urologist. They have four children and live in Utah.