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Melissa R. GillisAssociate
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"I believe that an important key to being a successful attorney is adaptability. I adjust my strategy to suit each situation as it presents itself in order to achieve the best possible results for my client. I adapt to judges’ styles as well as those of opposing counsel. Sometimes I have to be aggressive and take a hard-line stance, but sometimes it makes more sense to be flexible and negotiate. I am comfortable and confident modifying my actions to suit the situation. I also enjoy taking a client through a sometimes very emotional cycle to a satisfactory result. It makes me feel good at the end of the day when I’ve successfully guided somebody through a complex area of the law and accomplished their goals. My clients know that I have listened to their feelings, anxieties, fears and wishes, and have advocated for them accordingly." |
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Melissa is a member of the Family Law and Real Estate teams. |
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EducationQuinnipiac University School of Law, J.D. 2000 Elms College, B.A., 1996 |
Areas of Practice |
Bar & Court AdmissionCommonwealth of Massachusetts U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts |
Professional Associations & MembershipsHampden County Bar Association Massachusetts Bar Association Real Estate Bar Association Commonwealth of Massachusetts Notary Public Member: Senior Partners for Justice Pro Bono Alliance |
Professional & Community ActivitiesMember: Civility Standards sub-committee, Hampden County Bar Member: Magistrate Protocol sub-committee, Hampden County Bar Member: Court Conciliation Program, Hampden County Bar Certified: Limited Assistance Representation program with the Hampden County Probate and Family Court, 2009 - Present Member: Human Rights Committee, The Association for Community Living, 2009 - Present Member: Women’s Business Owners Alliance of Pioneer Valley, 2009 - Present Member: Women’s Partnership – Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, Inc, 2009 - Present Founder and Leader: Daisy Girl Scout Troop 557, Girl Scouts of America, 2008 - Present Volunteer: Dial-A-Lawyer, 2008 - Present Volunteer: Walk for Autism Member: Smart Start Preschool Parent Activity Board |
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Awards, Achievements & AppointmentsRecipient: Distinguished Academic Achievement Award in Bankruptcy, 2000 Recipient: Distinguished Academic Achievement Award in Representing Clients, 2000 Recipient: Excellence in Clinical Workaround Award, 2000 Recipient: Tax Litigation Award, 2000 |
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VideosVideo: Divorced with a child heading to college: Who pays? Video: Prenuptial Agreements: What you stand to gain or lose |
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Articles
Special Education What Every Parent Should Know About Their Child’s IEP
Developmental Delay or Disability? Making Early Identification of Your Child’s Special Needs
Special-education Assessment and the IEP - A Chance for You to Advocate for Your Child
Ten reasons to hire a lawyer for domestic-relations proceedings |
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News
Regional Law Firm Hires New Associate |
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LecturesContributer: Family Law Bits “Health Insurance as a Post-Divorce Issue, ” Family Law Bits “Paying Child Support While Receiving SSDI,” Family Law Bits “Separation Agreements: The Significance of Legalese...” Family Law Bits Lecturer: Agawam Town Council, 2008 |
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