Melissa Whitman is an experienced domestic relations attorney and a Certified Domestic Relations Mediator. She has successfully represented clients and tried cases in courts across northern Michigan.
In addition, Melissa is a certified collaborative divorce law attorney. Spouses who choose the collaborative divorce process agree to negotiate, not litigate, the divorce. A professional team supports couples through the emotional aspects of divorce as they resolve the legal and financial issues.
Melissa graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with Honors and attended law school at Washington & Lee University School of Law graduating in 1999. She grew up on the East Coast and moved to Traverse City from Colorado in 2002. She began her career with Davis Graham & Stubbs, LLP in Denver and was a Partner with Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge in Traverse City prior to starting her own practice.
While in school, Melissa acted as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and neglected children. She continues to help families, children, and individuals through her domestic relations practice. For these clients, she provides services such as pre- and post-nuptial agreements, divorce, spousal and child support, child custody issues, grandparenting time, and enforcement. In her opinion, the best way to represent persons involved in these highly emotional matters is to listen carefully, to dedicate the time necessary to assure the best result, and to be readily accessible via telephone or e-mail.
Melissa has been named a 2013 “Leading Lawyer” by the Traverse City Business News, is an ongoing contributor to Traverse Bay Family Magazine on topics pertaining to family policy, and was voted Boss of the Year in 2011 by the Grand Traverse Area Legal Professionals. She is admitted to practice in Michigan and Colorado.
Melissa lives with her two children in Traverse City, Michigan.