612-361-6180
Professional Info
A well-respected family and juvenile law attorney, Melissa was selected for inclusion in the elite 2021 Minnesota Super Lawyers list. Additionally, Melissa was ranked in the Minnesota Top 50 Women and Top 100 Super Lawyers lists for 2021, distinctions awarded to those who have received the highest total points as part of the selection process. In addition to her private practice, Melissa is dedicated to providing pro bono legal services on a regular basis and engaging with organizations that seek to improve the practice of law and the administration of justice. She has been certified as a North Star Lawyer for providing over 50 hours of free legal services to low-income individuals.
Legal Experience
2014 - present
Founding Partner & Attorney, DeWalt, Chawla + Saksena, LLC
2012 - 2013
Adjunct Professor, William Mitchell College of Law
2005 - 2014
Attorney & Director, Walling, Berg & Debele, P.A.
2002 - 2005
Judicial Law Clerk, Fourth Judicial District Court
2002
Certified Student Attorney, William Mitchell College of Law
2001
Legal Extern, United States Immigration Court
Education
2002
William Mitchell College of Law, Juris Doctor
1995
Saint Olaf College, Bachelor of Arts
Professional Memberships & Activities
President Elect, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Minnesota Chapter, 2021 - 2022
Co-Chair, Values Committee, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Minnesota Chapter
Past Chair/Member, Public Relations Committee, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Minnesota Chapter
Member, 2021 Family Law Institute Planning Committee
Member, 2020 Family Law Institute Planning Committee
Member, Minnesota State Bar Association, Family Law Section
Member, Hennepin County Bar Association, Family Law Section
Board Member, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Minnesota Chapter
Member, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Minnesota Chapter
Speaking Engagements & Publications
Co-Presenter, Divorce Practice: Attorney's Fees and Defaults, Minnesota CLE, 2021
Presenter, How to Prepare Clients for Custody Evaluations: 10 Tips Your Clients Need to Know, Family Law Institute, Minnesota Paralegal Association, Family Law Sectional, 2021
Co-Presenter, How to Prepare Clients for Custody Evaluations: 10 Tips Your Clients Need to Know, Family Law Institute, Minnesota CLE, 2020
Author, Stipulated Judgment and Decree with eFORMbook, InFormed Annotated Legal Documents, Minnesota CLE, 2017
Co-Presenter with Jack DeWalt, Property Division and Defaults, Minnesota CLE, 2017
Panel Member, Maximizing Your Legal Team, Hamline University Center for Justice and Law and Mitchell Hamline School of Law, 2016
Presenter, Quick Answers to the Legal Questions That Friends, Relatives and Strangers Will Ask You at Cocktail Parties, The New Lawyer Experience, Minnesota CLE, 2016, 2017 and 2018
Co-Presenter with Jack DeWalt, Early Case Management and Differences Among Counties/Districts, How to Handle a Divorce in Minnesota: Law Strategy & Forms, Minnesota CLE, 2015
Co-Author with Jack DeWalt, Early Case Management and Differences Among Counties/Districts, Minnesota Divorce Practice Deskbook, (1st Edition in 2015 and updates through 2021)
Presenter, Defaults, How to Handle a Divorce in Minnesota: Law Strategy & Forms, sponsored by Minnesota CLE, 2015
Author, Defaults, Minnesota Divorce Practice Deskbook, (1st Edition in 2015 and updates through 2021)
Plenary Session Speaker, The Affordable Care Act Update – 10 Reminders and Practice Tips for Minnesota Family Lawyers, Family Law Institute, sponsored by Minnesota CLE, 2015
Speaker, Family Law Snapshot, The Affordable Care Act for the "Non-Health Lawyer," sponsored by Minnesota CLE, 2014
Co-Presenter, The Intersection of the Affordable Care Act and Family Law, sponsored by Cooperative Practice Network, 2014
Presenter, The Impact of The Affordable Care Act (ACA) on Child Support Considerations, Advanced Family Law seminar, sponsored by Minnesota CLE, 2013
Co-Author, The Affordable Care Act’s Impact on Divorced, or Never-Married, Parents in Minnesota, The Hennepin Lawyer, 2014
Co-Presenter, Ethical Rules and Best practices to Assist with Avoiding Collections in Family Law, Family Law Institute, sponsored by Minnesota CLE, 2012
Co-Author, Ethical Rules and Best Practices to Assist with Avoiding Collections in Family Law Cases, Family Law Forum, 2011
Co-Presenter, Intersection of Family Law and Mental Health Services, In-Service Training for The Family Partnership, 2010
Author, The Role of Referees in District Court, The Hennepin Lawyer, 2010
Co-Author, Minnesota’s New Child Support Law: The Basics, Hearsay, a publication of the Minnesota State Bar Association New Lawyers Section, 2007
Pro Bono & Community Service
Volunteer Lawyer - Volunteer Lawyers Network
Volunteer - Loaves & Fishes
Court Admissions
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Minnesota
Honors
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Best Lawyers in Minnesota for Family Law, 2023
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Top 100 Minnesota Super Lawyer® list, Super Lawyer® magazine, 2018 - 2022
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Top 50 Minnesota Women list, Super Lawyer® magazine, 2017 - 2022
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Super Lawyer®, Super Lawyers magazine, 2014-2022
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Rising Star®, Super Lawyers magazine, 2012-2013
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Recognized as a "North Star Attorney" by MSBA (in recognition for pro bono service), 2014, 2015 and 2017
2010 - present
2010 - present