Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Melanie J. Duda

Redford,MI

Summary

Dedicated and results-driven attorney with extensive experience in personal injury and civil rights. Proven ability to manage high-volume caseloads, draft compelling legal documents, and advocate for diverse clients. Adept at strategic problem-solving, client relations, and legal research. Strong background in litigation, case management, and business operations. Committed to delivering exceptional legal services while maintaining professionalism and integrity.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience

Work History

Trial Attorney

Moss & Colella, P.C.
02.2019 - Current
  • Manage a docket of 80-100 personal injury cases to ensure that all filing and discovery deadlines are met
  • Prolific legal writer, draft complaints, facilitation summaries, motions and responses on complex and challenging personal injury matters
  • Take depositions, attend hearings and facilitations
  • Negotiate settlements
  • Attended Trial Lawyers University in Huntington Beach, CA, June 2024
  • Personal injury trials, including a $2.75 million verdict for Plaintiff in a dental malpractice case

Attorney

Fieger, Fieger, Kenney & Harrington, P.C.
05.2015 - 01.2019
  • Successfully litigated civil rights, sexual assault, medical malpractice, and negligence cases, with settlement values exceeding $20 million each year in 2017 and 2018
  • Responsible for maintaining the workflow of over 150 complex cases, drafting legal documents, and making court appearances
  • Cared for a diverse client base, exceeding their expectations at difficult times in their lives

Attorney / Owner

The Law Office of Melanie J. Duda, PLLC
11.2013 - 05.2015
  • Managed my own business, including advertising, finance, and clerical tasks while providing substantive legal services for clients
  • Specialized in criminal, family, and real estate matters

Law Clerk / Attorney

Tylenda PLLC
03.2013 - 11.2013
  • Defended clients in criminal prosecutions arising out of drug related offenses

Law Clerk

Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, P.C.
05.2011 - 01.2013
  • Directly assisted counsel by conducting legal research and drafting legal documents for a variety of criminal and civil cases
  • Successfully networked with a variety of professionals in a firm employing approximately 70 attorneys

Graduate Student Assistant

Wayne State University
09.2004 - 05.2008
  • Department of Anthropology: Editorial Assistant for Medical Anthropology Quarterly
  • Academic Success Center: Assistant Coordinator of the Tutoring and Supplemental Instruction (SI) Program and Learning Specialist

Education

Juris Doctorate -

University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
05.2012

Master of Arts Degree - Anthropology

Wayne State University
05.2008

Bachelor's of Arts Degree - Anthropology

Wayne State University
05.2003

Skills

  • Great Communicator: Confident and
    persuasive public speaker; able to
    develop rapport with individuals and
    groups
  • Writing: Draft well-researched,
    effective, and persuasive documents;
    also creative whenever possible
  • Teamwork: Experienced working as a key member of a team to manage a complex and extensive docket of litigation cases
  • Law Practice Experience: Able to
    network and build relationships;
    understand what law firms are seeking
  • Client Services: Able to ascertain the
    needs of a diverse client base and
    exceed their expectations
  • Strategic: Able to anticipate and
    prevent issues, find solutions to
    problems, and negotiate to meet goals

Affiliations

  • State Bar of Michigan, Member
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Admitted to Practice
  • Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, Member
  • Michigan Association for Justice (MAJ)
  • Admitted to U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan

Timeline

Trial Attorney

Moss & Colella, P.C.
02.2019 - Current

Attorney

Fieger, Fieger, Kenney & Harrington, P.C.
05.2015 - 01.2019

Attorney / Owner

The Law Office of Melanie J. Duda, PLLC
11.2013 - 05.2015

Law Clerk / Attorney

Tylenda PLLC
03.2013 - 11.2013

Law Clerk

Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, P.C.
05.2011 - 01.2013

Graduate Student Assistant

Wayne State University
09.2004 - 05.2008

Juris Doctorate -

University of Detroit Mercy School of Law

Master of Arts Degree - Anthropology

Wayne State University

Bachelor's of Arts Degree - Anthropology

Wayne State University

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Melanie J. Duda