Melissa is originally from Long Island, New York and spent her childhood in Matthews, North Carolina. She graduated from North Carolina State University with Magna Cum Laude in 2015 with a degree in Political Science and minor in Italian Studies. After graduating from NCSU, Melissa went on to attend law school at Campbell University School of Law where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2018.
While at Campbell, Melissa focused her studies in criminal law and actively participated in pro bono service. She served on the Pro Bono Council as the Project Coordinator for the Re-entry project working with legal aid to provide expungement advice and assistance with Legal Aid clients. She also served as President of the Campbell Law Innocence Project, a member of the Death Row Visitation Project, and a member of the Campbell Public Interest Law Student Association. She also participated in the Restorative Justice Clinic, facilitating meetings with juveniles to address the needs of each party to prevent the potentially harmful effects of the criminal justice system. In 2018, Melissa was awarded the Campbell Law School Pro Bono Publico Award for her commitment to pro bono activities by providing nearly 800 hours of pro bono services during her three years at Campbell.
During law school, she interned at numerous different state agencies including the Wake County Public Defender’s Office, The Federal Public Defender for the Eastern District of North Carolina, The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Wake County District Attorney’s Office. During her internships, Melissa gained valuable District Court experience and knowledge of courtroom procedures.
During her spare time, Melissa enjoys cooking, NC State football and DIY projects. As a new attorney, she hopes to be a zealous advocate for her clients.
