Attorney, Licensed by:
The Minnesota Supreme Court in
October, 1995
The US District Court for the State of Minnesota in October, 1999
The Wisconsin Supreme Court in
October, 2001
William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota: Juris Doctor Degree, Magna Cum Laude
Concordia College, St. Paul, Minnesota: Bachelor of Arts Degree, Magna Cum Laude, Major: Organizational Management and Communications
Melanie Ford Attorney at Law P.L.L.C. Current.
Sole practitioner in the area of elder law, estate planning, small businesses, non-profits, real estate, civil litigation
Hanft Fride, A Professional Association October, 1998 thrgh July, 1999.
Associate, practicing in the Business Practice group.
St. Louis County Attorney's Office, Duluth, Minnesota October, 1995 - October, 1998
Assistant county attorney, social services division.
Pre-admission to bar (August 1992-October 1995)
State of Minnesota, Sixth Judicial District, Duluth, Minnesota
Law Clerk for Judge Hallenbeck and Judicial Officer Maher.
Robin & Thompson, P.A., Wayzata, Minnesota
Law Clerk, civil litigation.
La Oportunidad, Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota
Interim Executive Director, non-profit agency.
Ramsey County, Office of the Public Defender, St. Paul, Minnesta
Certified student attorney under the student practice rule.
State of Minnesota, Office of the State Auditor, St. Paul, Minnesota
Law Clerk in the Special Investigations Unit.
Erstad & Reimer, P.A., Bloomington, Minnesota
Deposition summarizer.
Prior Career
Cargill, Inc., Minnetonka, Minnesota, 1979 - 1992
Commodity trading activities, primarily Latin American markets.
American Bar Association
Duluth Rotary Club 25
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc (NAELA)
Professional Woman's Network
Columnist for the Woman Today Magazine
Speaker on topics including Estate Planning and Non-Profit Board of Directors
Court qualified interpreter, Spanish language
Professional advisor, Minnesota Leave A Legacy Program
Board Member, St. Ann's Residence
Volunteer, Minnesota Judicial District Volunteer Attorney Program
Volunteer, Minnesota Mock Trial Program
Musician, Twin Ports Wind Orchestra
Columnist for the Woman Today Magazine
Speaker on topics including Estate Planning and Non-Profit Board of Directors
Member and athlete, Two Harbors Curling Club
Board Member, League of Women Voters