Melissa Clark Attorney
- Year joined firm: 2007
- Law School: University of Utah
- Undergrad: University of Utah
- Cases Handled: Over 500
- State Born: Utah
Melissa Clark is a member of the State Bar of California (#247998), State Bar of Arizona (#024644), State Bar of Utah (#11271), the State Bar of Florida (#62465), the State Bar of Pennsylvania and the state bar of New Jersey.
Ms. Clark has won more than 1,000 expungement related cases, including several successful appeals. She was co-counsel on the published case of People v. McLernon, which helped define California's expungement law (caselaw.findlaw.com).
Ms. Clark graduated from the University of Utah's S.J. Quinney College of Law in the top ten percent of her class. She was also a member of the Utah Law Review and served on the Student Bar Association. Ms. Clark was a member of the Moot Court Team that represented her school at the national competition in New York.
After law school, Ms. Clark clerked for the Honorable Daniel A. Barker of the Arizona Court of Appeals. There she gained a valuable behind-the-scenes perspective on how the Arizona Courts operate. She also clerked for the Honorable Judith A. Boulden of the Utah Bankruptcy Court.
Job Description
I handle all Arizona and Florida record clearing cases. This includes meeting with and communicating with clients, drafting memorandums in support of our motions and in response to District Attorney oppositions, and representing clients in court. I am also involved with Utah and California cases.
Favorite part of the job
Calling and informing a client that has been hindered for years by a conviction that their case has been granted and that they can finally close that chapter of their life.
Advice to clients
Deciding to expunge your record is one of the smartest decisions you can make. It is an investment in yourself. Future employers will be focus on your qualifications, rather than mistakes you made in the past. Travelling internationally will be much easier. You will no longer have to worry about the social stigma that a criminal record gives you.
Interesting facts
- Melissa worked at the United States Supreme Court prior to going to law school.
- She is certified scuba diver.
- In high school, she was a member of the National Champion Future Problem Solving Team.