Springfield Domestic Relations & Family Lawyer
Overview
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. 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 depending on what is in my client's best interest, managing a client's expectations is key. 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 within the parameters of the law.
About Melissa R. Gillis
Current Employment Position(s)
- Shareholder
Practice Areas
- Domestic Relations & Family
- Real Estate & Zoning
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Estate Planning
Qualifications
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts, 2002
- U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts
- U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit
Other Affiliations
- Hampden County Bar Association
- Massachusetts Bar Association
- Real Estate Bar Association - Past Member
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts Notary Public
- Senior Partners for Justice Pro Bono Alliance - Past Member (Member)
- Civility Standards sub-committee, Hampden County Bar - Past Member (Member)
- Magistrate Protocol sub-committee, Hampden County Bar - Past Member (Member)
- Court Conciliation Program, Hampden County Bar (Member)
- Past Volunteer, Dial-A-Lawyer, 2008
Classes and Seminars
- Contributor, 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
Pro Bono Activities
- Volunteer, Walk for Autism
- Member, Smart Start Preschool Parent Activity Board
- Human Rights Committee, The Association for Community Living, Member, 2009 - 2014
- Women's Business Owners Alliance of Pioneer Valley, Member, 2009 - Present
- Women's Partnership - Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, Inc., Member, 2009 - Present
- Daisy Girl Scout Troop 557, Girl Scouts of America, Founder and Leader, 2008 - Present
Education
- Quinnipiac University School of Law, Connecticut, 2000
J.D.
Honors: Distinguished Academic Achievement Award in Bankruptcy, 2000
Honors: Distinguished Academic Achievement Award in Representing Clients, 2000
Honors: Excellence in Clinical Workaround Award, 2000
Honors: Tax Litigation Award, 2000 - Elms College, 1996
B.A.
Fees
Accepts Credit Cards
Articles
Published Works
- It’s that Time of Year Again: Careful Review, Renegotiation of Your Child’s IEP is Critical, Healthcare News, March 1, 2014
- Is This the Time to Fight? When Divorce Is Complicated by Serious Medical Concerns, August 1, 2013
- Custody of a Special-needs Child: Sometimes, It’s Better to Focus on Quality Parent Time, Not Quantity, April 1, 2013
- Oh Dear, College is Here! - How can I get my Ex to Help Pay?, August 27, 2012
- Insurance and Autistic Children: Update to ARICA Is Changing the Picture for Many Families, April 1, 2012
- A Time for Change: Measure Reforming Alimony Is Certainly History in the Making, March 12, 2012
- Transitional Planning in Special Ed: Start Early When Determining and Preparing for Life After School, December 1, 2011
- For Good Measure Autism Insurance Legislation: What It Means for Your Child, August 1, 2011
- Special Education What Every Parent Should Know About Their Child’s IEP, March 1, 2011
- Developmental Delay or Disability? Making Early Identification of Your Child’s Special Needs, January 31, 2011
- Special-education Assessment and the IEP - A Chance for You to Advocate for Your Child, July 10, 2010
- Ten reasons to hire a lawyer for domestic-relations proceedings, April 27, 2009
- Lecturer, Rebuilding Support Group, Southwick, MA, February, 2014
Office Information
Address
33 State Street Springfield, MA 01103
Phone
Fax
- 413-739-7740
Achievements
Honors
- Quoted: "I Don't, Anymore...Divorces Increasing Among Midlife" Prime Magazine, February 2014
- Completed Mediation Training + Workshop
- Recipient, Distinguished Academic Achievement Awards in Bankruptcy & Representing Clients, 2000
- Recipient, Excellence in Clinical Workaround Award, 2000
- Recipient, Tax Litigation Award, 2000
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