Melissa A. Yasinow - Mentor, OH
Attorney at Balin Law, LLC
Lawyers in Mentor, OH
7372 Lakeshore Blvd. Mentor, OH 44060
- Free Consultation
Updated: 03/10/2026
Attorney Information
Overview
Melissa Yasinow is a fierce advocate for her clients in all legal settings. Trained as a litigator, Melissa has successfully represented students in all manner of disciplinary proceedings across Ohio and the United States. Melissa’s experience includes defending students in Title IX investigations as well as proceedings concerning student misconduct, professionalism, and academic integrity. Her years of litigation experience complement Balin Law’s Social Security Disability practice, helping her to assess SSDI/SSI cases and other claims on behalf of our clients.
Melissa is particularly proud of her work defending students with disabilities, including Depression, ADHD, Anxiety, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Melissa’s experience includes:
- Successfully appealed a fourth-year medical student’s dismissal from an Ohio public university for alleged academic underperformance.
- Successfully defended an Ohio high school senior in a Title IX investigation after he had been suspended without due process.
- Successfully defended a college senior against claims of sexual misconduct at a private college in New York.
- Successfully resolved a sexual misconduct case at a New Jersey public university where both students had Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Successfully defended a pre-med student at a private Ohio university accused of cheating on a physics exam.
- Successfully resolved a disciplinary matter ensuring that an Ohio high school sophomore could return to school and the soccer team after a mental health crisis.
- Successfully appealed the suspension of an Ohio public university student from his pharmacy program after the university failed to provide mandatory due process.
- Successfully appealed a sexual misconduct ruling against a rising senior at a public Indiana university.
- Successfully resolved a disciplinary matter for a high school student after private writings were circulated without his knowledge or consent by former friends.
- Successfully resolved a dispute between a dual-degree graduate student and an Ohio private university where the university had attempted to overbill the student and deny her shared-course credit.
- Advised healthcare professional of her rights under the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program and helped her get confirmation from her nonprofit employer that over $100,000 in student loans would be forgiven.
- Secured disability-related housing accommodations for a visually impaired student at an Ohio public university after he had previously been denied requested housing.
Melissa is also proud to help individuals with disabilities in all legal settings, including before Social Security.
Civic Involvement
Melissa previously served as a Councilmember and Vice Mayor in the City of Cleveland Heights. When Melissa first joined Cleveland Heights City Council, she was the youngest ever elected official in the city’s history.
Melissa completed Ladder Down Cleveland (Class of 2021), Cleveland Bridge Builders (Class of 2019) and the Mandel Leadership Symposium (Class of 2017). She is also a past Board Member of the Anti-Defamation League in Cleveland.
Melissa is a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association.
Honors & Awards
Melissa was recognized as a Top Rated Attorney 3 years in a row, making the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list in 2019, 2020, and 2021; an honor granted to no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in the state.
Named one of the “Most Interesting People” by Cleveland Magazine in 2018 and “12 Under 36: Member of the Tribe,” by the Cleveland Jewish News in 2018.
Recipient of a Fulbright Grant to the Republic of Korea where she represented American interests from 2006 to 2007.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Wuliger Family AIPAC Policy Conference Scholarship Award, 2013 - Present
- Patricia Ann Burgess Public Law Award, 2011 - Present
- Amy J. Zoslov Memorial Scholarship, 2009 - Present
- Fulbright Grant, Republic of Korea, 2006 - 2007
Education
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Legal Education
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Case Western Reserve University Law School,
Cleveland,
Ohio, 2011
J.D.
Honors: magna cum laude
Honors: Order of the Coif
Law Review: Case Western Reserve Law Review, Member
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Case Western Reserve University Law School,
Cleveland,
Ohio, 2011
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Non Legal Education
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Mount Holyoke College, 2006
B.A.
Honors: magna cum laude
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Mount Holyoke College, 2006
Current Employment Position(s)
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Attorney, since August 8, 2022
Past Positions
- Republic of Korea, Fulbright Grantee
- Chief Judge Pat E. Morgenstern-Clarren in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Extern
- Magistrate David S. Perelman in the Northern District of Ohio, Extern
Classes and Seminars
- Your Day in Court, Chambers U.S. District Court Judge Dan Polster, 2012 - Present
Pro Bono Activities
- Cleveland Heights Democratic Club, Trustee
- Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, Executive Committee, Member
- Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, Precinct Committee, Member
- Cuyahoga Democratic Women’s Caucus, Steering Committee Member
- Anti-Defamation League, Board Member
- Anti-Defamation League, Civil Rights Committee Member, Ohio-Kentucky-Allegheny Region
- Councilwoman, City of Cleveland Heights, Municipal Services Committee, Chair, Nov. 2013
- Councilwoman, City of Cleveland Heights, Community Relations and Recreation Committee, Vice Chair
- Councilwoman, City of Cleveland Heights, Finance Committee, Member
Published Works
Articles
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When Romer Met Feeney: Why the Second Sentence of the Ohio Marriage Amendment Violates Equal Protection, 61 Case W. Res. L. Rev. 1315, 2011
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Copyright (and Wrongs) for Churches: The Fair Use Doctrine and the Religious Services Exemption, ChurchLife!, Spring, 2013
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Creating Signed, Written Contracts Over the Telephone, Connections Magazine, July/August, 2012
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Win a Trip With Nick Kristof (Finalist), N.Y. Times, May 22, 2006
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“How to Start Your Local Campaign in Cuyahoga County,” sole author, 2015
Bar Admissions
- Ohio
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Ohio
Other Affiliations
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (Law School Debt Task Force & 3Rs)
- Anti-Defamation League (Board Member and Civil Rights Committee Member, Ohio-Kentucky-Allegheny Region)
- Cuyahoga Democratic Women’s Caucus (Steering Committee Member)
Reviews
Customer Reviews for Melissa A. Yasinow
Highlights
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5.0 Value
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5.0 Quality of Service
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5.0 Professional Competence
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Hired Attorney 2025-2026I like to thank Malissa for helping me get my ssdi she was amazing Balin Law is the best I recommend them to anyone
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Hired Attorney 2022-2023I am a graduate student at a well-respected university and was having several issues that were not getting resolved and unfortunately had to take legal action. I called on Melissa for help. She was thorough and relentless in her communication with the university's counsel and my claims were finally acknowledged and addressed. Highly recommend!
Photo
Contact
7372 Lakeshore Blvd.
Mentor, OH 44060
Phone: 877-681-3464
Fax: 866-788-2256
Email: Send a message
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm
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