Biography
Melinda Sammis specializes in divorce litigation, mediation consultation, and the drafting of complex pre and postmarital agreements. Melinda is a California State Bar Certified Family Law Specialist.
Melinda served from 2013-2019 as a Board Member and Advisor to the State Bar’s Executive Committee on Family Law (FLEXCOM), later California Lawyers Association (CLA), and commented on pending family law legislation in the State of California, including appearing in Sacramento to consult on changes to pending legislation. During Melinda’s service on FLEXCOM, she was the Chair of the Education Committee and coordinated multiple live family law education courses and webinars.
Melinda regularly acts as a Settlement Master and Attorney for the Day for the San Francisco Superior Court. Melinda has also guest lectured at Hastings College of the Law.
Prior to joining the firm, Melinda earned recognition for acting and public speaking. She is a member of both the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio. She has lived in Spain and speaks conversational Spanish.
Education
- University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings), San Francisco, California
- J.D. - 1999
- Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
- B.A. - 1996
- Honors: With Honors
- Major: English Literature
- Major: Spanish
Bar Admissions
- California, 1999
Published Works
- Expert Witness Testimony: What’s all the Hype over People vs. Sanchez? The State Bar of California Family Law News, Issue 2, Vol. 39, No. 2, 2017
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association
- Association of Certified Family Law Specialists
- Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
- Bar Association of San Francisco, Family Law section
- State Bar of California, Family Law section
- State Bar of California, Executive Committee on Family Law (FLEXCOM)
- American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA)
- Screen Actors Guild (SAG)
Certified Legal Specialties
- Family Law, California Board of Legal Specialization
Honors
- California Governor's Award, Excellence in Drama and Public Speaking
- National Emmy for Best Public Service Announcement for Television
Classes & Seminars
- Guest Lecturer, Hastings College of the Law
- Presenter, Comprehensive Family Law Practice Seminar, Sonoma County, July 2016
References
- David A. Fink, Attorney and Mediator, San Francisco, CA
Past Positions
- Judicial extern, The Hon. Thomas Mellon, Jr. , San Francisco Superior Court
- Judicial extern, The Hon. Charlotte Woolard, San Francisco Superior Court
Languages
- Spanish