Melinda Godwin
Cheyenne,WY
Summary
Dedicated legal professional offering expertise in family law and criminal defense. Proven success in building trusting rapport with clients and offering sound legal advice in clear and universal terms. Hardworking and dedicated to client advocacy. Also a dedicated team player and competitive biller.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Attorney
Olsen Legal Group, LLC
11.2022 - Current
- Drafted multitude of family law documents on clients' behalf by balancing objectives, legal requirements and statutory requirements.
- Developed strategies to resolve cases in client's best interest.
- Conducted legal research and discovery often filing temporary strategic motions when appropriate to best serve the needs of the changing family structure.
- Specialize in child custody, temporary orders, high asset divorces and all areas of family law including guardianship, adoption, divorce and paternity cases.
- Litigation specialist preparing for all aspects of trial prep and case management representing clients at the trial phase and the appellate stage where appropriate.
Litigation Paralegal
Olsen Legal Group, LLC
05.2021 - Current
- Organized evidence, exhibits, motions and subpoenas to support cases and prepare for trial.
- Completed electronic court filings at state level in District Courts across the State of Wyoming.
- Managed exhibits, evidence and data related to family legal matters and criminal defense cases.
- Maintained litigation database and document organization for primarily family law cases.
- Drafted all Motions, Orders and other discovery requests for supervising attorney updating case lists each week and working toward a resolution in all matters.
BOS Scheduler
Frontier Home Health And Hospice
08.2020 - 05.2021
- Generated department orders and accompanying documentation.
- Optimized organizational processes by effectively managing crew schedules while adhering to contractual restrictions.
- Worked with supervisors and team members to understand supply needs and bring levels within desired tolerances.
- Completed logs and reports detailing production data such as volume, materials used and quality assurance results, helping management make accurate operational decisions.
Executive Assistant
Legal Aid Of Wyoming, LLC
01.2020 - 08.2020
- Handled confidential and sensitive information with discretion and tact.
- Managed executive calendars, scheduling meetings and appointments and coordinating travel arrangements to optimize time.
- Organized and coordinated conferences and monthly meetings.
- Processed travel expenses and reimbursements for executive team and senior management group.
Tribal Advocate
Legal Aid Of Wyoming, LLC
08.2019 - 01.2020
- Delivered friendly service and offered expert support in every interaction.
- Worked effectively with tribal members facing family legal issues to coordinate effective solutions to any question or concern.
- Maintained positive relationships with community to build and nurture dynamic partnerships.
- Assisted individuals in navigating processes and procedures to resolve issues, understand rights and express views.
Independent Contract Attorney/Solo Practitioner
Godwin Law Office, P.C.
09.2010 - 07.2015
- Ran a small, general practice law firm, specializing primarily in family law and criminal law and personal injury claims.
- Represented real estate corporations in eviction proceedings.
- Worked with large real estate firms doing home loan modifications.
Senior Assistant Public Defender
Wyoming Office Of Public Defender
02.2007 - 09.2010
- Advocated for clients before court in oral argument by presenting facts and evidence in most favorable light.
- Assessed cases for probable outcomes by researching black letter law and other legal authority, comparing fact patterns to those of precedential cases.
- Thoroughly researched cases using Westlaw and drafted legal instruments on behalf of Public Defender.
Member, Attorney
Bishop & Oldaker, LLC
04.2005 - 02.2007
- Drafted, reviewed and negotiated contracts and other legal documents to support client needs.
- Researched and interpreted laws, rulings and regulations to advise clients on business and legal transactions.
- Negotiated settlements of disputes and litigation.
- Developed legal strategies to protect client interests and resolve disputes.
Independent Contractor
Gay Woodhouse Law Office, P.C.
06.2004 - 06.2005
- Continued to acquire litigation experience working with former Wyoming Attorney General, Gay Woodhouse researching and drafting complex legal memorandums and responses to the same.
Associate Attorney
Hirst & Applegate, P.C.
08.2001 - 05.2003
- Acquired experience in several areas of civil litigation, including insurance defense, personal injury, professional malpractice and products liability.
- Conducted and defended depositions.
- Drafted and responded to dispositive motions, pleadings, and discovery requests.
- Researched and wrote both trial and appellate briefs.
Associate Attorney
Rothgerber Johnson And Lyons LLP
06.2001 - 05.2003
- Practiced civil litigation in areas including real estate, insurance defense and bankruptcy.
- Developed strategies to resolve cases in client's best interest.
- Conducted legal research and conferred with colleagues with subject matter expertise to develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- Responsible for managing a high volume of case files while balancing the research and drafting needs of the partners.
Education
J.D. - Law
University of Wyoming College of Law
Laramie, WY05.2001
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY05.1998
Skills
As a Wyoming licensed attorney I bring considerable experience and knowledge and am the lead drafter and subsequent biller at my current law firm
My goal is to gain experience in Arizona courts and with Arizona family attorneys and criminal defense attorneys as I work to become licensed in Arizona
Experience at a high volume, high quality law firm managing an extensive case load and responsible for not only my own case load but also for overseeing the new associates coming in as well as training them
Timeline
Associate Attorney
Olsen Legal Group, LLC
11.2022 - Current
Litigation Paralegal
Olsen Legal Group, LLC
05.2021 - Current
BOS Scheduler
Frontier Home Health And Hospice
08.2020 - 05.2021
Executive Assistant
Legal Aid Of Wyoming, LLC
01.2020 - 08.2020
Tribal Advocate
Legal Aid Of Wyoming, LLC
08.2019 - 01.2020
Independent Contract Attorney/Solo Practitioner
Godwin Law Office, P.C.
09.2010 - 07.2015
Senior Assistant Public Defender
Wyoming Office Of Public Defender
02.2007 - 09.2010
Member, Attorney
Bishop & Oldaker, LLC
04.2005 - 02.2007
Independent Contractor
Gay Woodhouse Law Office, P.C.
06.2004 - 06.2005
Associate Attorney
Hirst & Applegate, P.C.
08.2001 - 05.2003
Associate Attorney
Rothgerber Johnson And Lyons LLP
06.2001 - 05.2003
J.D. - Law
University of Wyoming College of Law
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
University of Wyoming
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