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

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Co-Chair, Values Committee, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Minnesota Chapter, 2021 - 2022

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Past Chair/Member, Public Relations Committee, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Minnesota Chapter

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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

 

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

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Co-Presenter, How to Prepare Clients for Custody Evaluations: 10 Tips Your Clients Need to Know, Family Law Institute, Minnesota CLE, 2020

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Author, Stipulated Judgment and Decree with eFORMbook, InFormed Annotated Legal Documents, Minnesota CLE, 2017

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Co-Presenter with Jack DeWalt, Property Division and Defaults, Minnesota CLE, 2017

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Panel Member, Maximizing Your Legal Team, Hamline University Center for Justice and Law and Mitchell Hamline School of Law, 2016

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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

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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

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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)

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Presenter, Defaults, How to Handle a Divorce in Minnesota: Law Strategy & Forms, sponsored by Minnesota CLE, 2015

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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

Member - Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Roundtable

 

Court Admissions

 

• Minnesota

Honors

• Top 100 Minnesota Super Lawyer® list, Super Lawyer® magazine, 2018 - 2021

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• Top 50 Minnesota Women list, Super Lawyer® magazine, 2017 - 2021

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• Super Lawyer®, Super Lawyers magazine, 2014-2021

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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