Offering Trusted Guidance And Outstanding Client Service

Melissa A. Russo

Attorney

Melissa A Russo

$325 Hourly Rate

Contact

Biography

Melissa A. Russo brings diverse civil litigation experience to Heinrich Christian, PLLC. Ms. Russo represents clients with sensitivity while aggressively asserting their rights through all phases of family law litigation, including post-trial litigation and appeals. She prepares each case to protect her client’s interests at trial, should trial be necessary; however, settlement is frequently in the best interest of clients, so Ms. Russo makes a conscientious effort to lead the case in an amicable direction by raising non-adversarial solutions if possible. She is certified in advanced family law mediation. For clients who choose alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to resolve their issues, Ms. Russo acts as a consulting attorney in mediation and arbitration settings.

In her previous legal positions, Ms. Russo acted as lead attorney in federal and state civil cases, including cases of a quasi-criminal nature. She served as Assistant Attorney General (AAG) at the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, defending in liberty interest constitutional and statutory claims throughout Texas, as well as in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans. Prior to serving as an AAG, Ms. Russo practiced family law at the Texas Advocacy Project, where she specialized in issues of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. While at the Texas Advocacy Project, she presented several family law and intimate partner violence trainings around Texas, including teaching an accredited State Bar of Texas Continuing Legal Education (CLE) class. Ms. Russo further contributed to the authoring of a State Bar of Texas CLE publication concerning jury trends favoring property owners while she practiced law at John Marrs Ellis and Hodge, LLP, where she defended the rights of Texas property owners. It was here that Ms. Russo learned to evaluate net recovery through settlement versus pursuing a case through the trial phase.Ms. Russo is a member of the Texas College Bar, a professional society of legal scholars in which only 10% of Texas attorneys are eligible. She has served on the State Bar’s Child Protection Law Membership Committee since 2021. Ms. Russo earned her legal degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law. While in law school, she participated in the Social Justice Litigation clinics, providing pro bono services to the indigent and victims of family violence. As an undergraduate, she attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she served as an Orange Jacket and graduated with high honors, earning an induction into the Phi Beta Kappa Society, Alpha of Texas. Ms. Russo also holds a Texas Real Estate license.

Areas of Practice

  • Civil Litigation
  • Family Law Litigation
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
  • Family Law Mediation

Bar Admissions

  • Texas, 2016
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 2019
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 2019
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas, 2019
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Texas, 2019
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 2019

Education

  • St. Mary's University School of Law, San Antonio, Texas
    • J.D.
    • Honors: Criminal Law Legal Research Assistant under Professor D. Klein
    • Honors: Center for Legal & Social Justice Clinic
  • University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
    • B.A. with High Honors
    • Honors: College of Fine Arts College Scholar
    • Honors: Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society
    • Honors: Phi Beta Kappa Society, Alpha of Texas
    • Honors: Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society
    • Honors: Student Government Legislative Branch, Fine Arts Representative
    • Honors: The University of Texas Fine Arts Council, Officer
    • Honors: The University of Texas Orange Jackets
    • Honors: The University of Texas Panhellenic Council Greek Scholar

Classes/Seminars

  • Presenter, Stalking and Intimate Partner Family Violence, Tarrant County College; Fort Worth, Texas, March 2018
  • Presenter, Understanding Protective Orders in Texas, Texas Department of Criminal Justice; Austin, Texas, Spring 2018
  • Presenter, Litigating Pro Bono or Meager Means Family Law Cases, State Bar of Texas CLE # 174023487, Frank Phillips College; Perryton, Texas, August 2018
  • Presenter, Trauma Informed and Empowerment Based Advocacy, Panhandle Crisis Center; Perryton, Texas, August 2018

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Child Protection Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, 2021–Present
  • Child Protection Law Section of the State Bar of Texas - Membership Committee, 2021–Present
  • Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, 2017–2019; 2021–Present
  • Appellate Section of the State Bar of Texas, Present
  • Real Estate Law Section of The State Bar of Texas, 2017–2019
  • Probate and Trust Law Section of The State Bar of Texas, 2017–2019
  • State Bar of Texas Pro Bono Texas Campaign, 2017–2018
  • Austin Young Lawyers Association, 2013–2017

Certified Legal Specialties

  • Real Estate Sales Agent, Texas Real Estate Commission, The State of Texas, License No. 580504, Austin Institute of Real Estate; Austin, Texas, 2007
  • Mediation (40-Hour Certification), St. Mary's School of Law; San Antonio, Texas, 2015
  • Advanced Family Law Mediation (24-Hour Certification), St. Mary's School of Law; San Antonio, Texas, 2015
  • HIPAA Awareness for Business Associates, Certification—Texas House Bill 300 Confidentiality of Medical Information Act; Austin, Texas, 2018
  • Discrimination And Harassment Awareness, Certification, Office of The Attorney General of Texas; Austin, Texas, 2020
  • Human Trafficking: Be The One, Certification, Office of The Attorney General of Texas; Austin, Texas, 2018
  • Sensitive Personal Information, Certification, Office of The Attorney General of Texas; Austin, Texas, 2021
  • Fraud, Waste, And Abuse Prevention Program (FWAPP), Certification, Office of The Attorney General of Texas, Austin, Texas, 2020