Melissa Meyer

Associate Dean, School of Arts & Sciences, Associate Professor of Legal Studies
Arts and Sciences
Legal Studies, Criminal Justice
mmeyer1@umassglobal.edu
585.317.0739

Melissa Meyer is an associate dean of full-time faculty development and associate professor and serves as co-lead faculty for the legal studies program in the School of Arts and Sciences at University of Massachusetts Global. She holds a Juris Doctorate from the State University of York, University at Buffalo Law School where she graduated with honors.Melissa has served as an assistant public defender, litigation attorney, and appellate court attorney.She has worked in civil and criminal law, in both a private law firm and in government agencies.She previously represented a range of clients from individuals to Fortune 500 corporations.Her duties included investigating cases, drafting pleadings, arguing motions, and conducting jury trials.She passed both the New York State and California bar exams and is also admitted in federal court.In addition to practicing law, Melissa has taught legal studies and criminal justice at several colleges.She is also a volunteer in her community; past projects include the YWCA Young Parenting Support Services Program where she mentored high school-aged mothers, and the Nexos Voluntarios Business and Development Project located in Urubamba, Peru.

Education History

2002 - Juris Doctorate, Magna Cum Laude, State University of New York, University at Buffalo

1999 - B.A. Political Science, Summa Cum Laud, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA

 

 

Scholarly Activities

2013-2016

  • Volunteer Attorney, Neighborhood Legal Services, Buffalo, NY

2008-PRESENT

  • Member, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers
    Bar Admissions, New York State Bar, United States District Court

Professional Experience

2006-2008: Litigation Attorney, Brown & Hutchinson, Rochester, NY

  • Advised corporate and individual clients regarding litigation strategy, including court appearances on both civil and criminal matters.

2004-2006: Assistant Public Defender, Monroe County Office of the Public Defender, Rochester, NY

  • Managed all matters relating to criminal defense of several hundred clients, including jury trials.

2001: Appellate Court Attorney, New York Appellate Division, Fourth Department

  • Researched legal issues and prepared preliminary reports for appellate court on pending civil and criminal appeals.
 

Education History

2002 - Juris Doctorate, Magna Cum Laude, State University of New York, University at Buffalo

1999 - B.A. Political Science, Summa Cum Laud, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA

 

 

Scholarly Activities

2013-2016

  • Volunteer Attorney, Neighborhood Legal Services, Buffalo, NY

2008-PRESENT

  • Member, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers
    Bar Admissions, New York State Bar, United States District Court

Professional Experience

2006-2008: Litigation Attorney, Brown & Hutchinson, Rochester, NY

  • Advised corporate and individual clients regarding litigation strategy, including court appearances on both civil and criminal matters.

2004-2006: Assistant Public Defender, Monroe County Office of the Public Defender, Rochester, NY

  • Managed all matters relating to criminal defense of several hundred clients, including jury trials.

2001: Appellate Court Attorney, New York Appellate Division, Fourth Department

  • Researched legal issues and prepared preliminary reports for appellate court on pending civil and criminal appeals.
 

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