MEET MELISSA
EXPERIENCE, INTEGRITY, ADHERENCE TO THE RULE OF LAW
I have been practicing law for 30 years in the State of Georgia, with the last eleven being at Palmour Law Firm in Summerville, Georgia. I started my career at Watson & Dana in LaFayette and moved from there to serve as the law clerk for the Superior Court judges for the Circuit for a year prior to founding Four Points, Inc. I served as Executive Director of Four Points, Inc. for fifteen years.
I became a full-time Associate Magistrate Judge in Walker County when I left Four Points. Seeking to get back into law practice, I left the full-time position to practice law at Palmour Law. I returned to the Magistrate Court on a part-time basis in 2020 and continue to preside on cases two days per week and provide on-call service twice a month.
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I am a Registered Mediator since 2020 in civil, domestic, and juvenile matters. I am, and have served as, a Guardian ad Litem for many years in both Superior and Juvenile Court. I trained to act as a Parent Coordinator for high conflict families in 2021.
During my law career, I have extensive experience in state and federal trial work as well as extensive appellate experience. I have spent the last decade representing clients in family law, real estate, probate, employment, contract, and business transaction cases. Along with Mr. Palmour, I have served the municipalities of Summerville and Trion in various legal matters including litigation. My emphasis has always been on listening to the client and doing by utmost to represent their interest and perspective before the court.
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I graduated from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama in 1993. I received a bachelor's degree from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia in 1990. I graduated from Chattanooga Valley High School in 1986. During my tenure at Four Points, I received extensive training in victim advocacy, substance abuse, mental health issues and various management practices. I also receive continuing legal and judicial education.
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My husband, Mark, and I have been married for 25 years and have two great children. We attend LaFayette United Methodist Church in LaFayette, Georgia. Mark and I are both active in Boy Scouts of America as volunteers.