Melissa A. Russo - Austin, TX
Attorney at Russo Law, PLLC
Family Law Lawyers in Austin, TX
10109 Lake Creek Parkway, 170202 Austin, TX 78729
- Free Consultation
Austin Family Law Lawyer
Updated: 03/10/2026
Areas of Practice
- Family Law
- Divorce Law
- Child Custody
- Prenuptial Agreements
- Property Division
- Protective Orders
Attorney Information
Overview
Ms. Russo has defended Texans' rights in federal and state courtrooms, including cases of a quasi-criminal nature. She served as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas, defending in constitutional and statutory claims throughout Texas, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Prior to serving as an AAG, Ms. Russo specialized in issues of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. She has presented several family law and intimate partner violence trainings around Texas to county officials, law enforcement, colleges, crisis centers, and attorneys. Ms. Russo further contributed to the authoring of a State Bar of Texas publication concerning jury trends while defending the rights of Texas property owners and their families. It was in this role that Ms. Russo learned to evaluate net recovery through settlement versus pursuing a case through the trial phase.
Education
-
Legal Education
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St. Mary's University School of Law,
San Antonio,
Texas
J.D.
-
St. Mary's University School of Law,
San Antonio,
Texas
-
Non Legal Education
-
University of Texas at Austin,
Austin,
Texas
B.A.
Honors: With High Honors
Major: Art History
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University of Texas at Austin,
Austin,
Texas
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Founding Attorney
Past Positions
- The Office of the Attorney General of Texas, Assistant Attorney General, 2018 - 2021
- Texas Advocacy Project, Inc., Staff Attorney
- Johns Marrs, Ellis, & Hodge, LLP, Associate Attorney
Languages
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English
Classes and Seminars
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Litigating Pro Bono or Meager Means Family Law Cases, CLE #174023487, State Bar of Texas, August 9, 2018 - Present
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Stalking and Intimate Partner Family Violence, Tarrant County College, March 6, 2018 - Present
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Trauma Informed and Empowerment Based Advocacy, Panhandle Crisis Center; Perryton, Texas, August 9, 2018 - Present
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Understanding Protective Orders in Texas, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, 2018 - Present
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Presenter, Trauma Informed and Empowerment Based Advocacy, Panhandle Crisis Center; Perryton, TX, August 9, 2018
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Presenter, Stalking and Intimate Partner Family Violence, Tarrant County College; Fort Worth, TX, March 6, 2018
- Presenter, Understanding Protective Orders in Texas, Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Pro Bono Activities
- State Bar of Texas Pro Bono Texas Campaign , 2017 - 2018
- Volunteer Legal Service of Central Texas, 2017 - 2018
Representative Clients
Governor, Office of the Texas Governor
The University of Texas Medical Branch
Home Depot
Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General of Texas
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Bar Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 2019
- U.S. District Court Western District of Texas, 2019
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas, 2019
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 2019
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 2019
- Texas, 2016
Specialties and Certifications
- Mediation 40-Hour Training Certification
- Advanced Family Law Mediation
- 24-Hour Training Certification
- HIPAA Awareness for Business Associates Course
- Certification - Texas House Bill 300 Confidentiality of Medical Information Act
- Discrimination and Harassment Awareness, Certification
- Human Trafficking: Be The One, Certification
- Sensitive Personal Information, Certification
- Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Prevention Program, Certification
Other Affiliations
- Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, 2017-2019, 2021, 2017 - Present (Member)
- Child Protection Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, 2021 - Present (Member)
- Real Estate Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, 2017 - 2019 (Member)
- Probate and Trust Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, 2017 - 2019 (Member)
- State Bar of Texas
- Appellate Law Section of The State Bar of Texas
- Austin Bar Association
- Williamson County Bar Association
- Williamson Young Lawyers Association
Fraternities and Sororities
- Phi Beta Kappa
Photo
Contact
10109 Lake Creek Parkway, 170202
Austin, TX 78729
Phone: 512-375-3882
Email: Send a message
Website: https://russolawpllc.com/
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