Melanie Abea joined the Firm in 2019. She came with three years' experience as a formidable Civil and Family Law litigator. On the Civil side, she has worked on personal injury, trust, and business litigation, as well as employment matters. Her Family Law experience is also well rounded having represented divorcing parties in all aspects of that litigation.

Before becoming an attorney, she was a Certified Paralegal Associate for nearly nine years supporting attorneys in three different law firms in all aspects of litigation. While attending Santa Clara University as an undergraduate student, she worked full time in those law firms learning every aspect of law practice from organizing files to legal research, drafting legal pleadings, and communicating with clients and court personnel.

She completed her Juris Doctor degree at Santa Clara University. During her law studies, she became a Certified Law Clerk which allowed her to make court appearances for her attorney employers. While in law school, she received accolades such as Dean's List, CALI Award winner, and became Vice President of the Student Bar Association. Not to mention, by the time she graduated from Santa Clara Law School, she had four children!!

In her "spare time" she enjoys activities such as gardening, crafting, and watching and supporting her children who compete in football and cheer.

Admission
State Bar of California, 2016

Memberships
California State Bar
Contra Costa County Bar Association
Alameda County Bar Association

Professional Achievements
Nominated as a Top 40 Under 40 by the American Institute of Trial Lawyers, 2019
Nominated for Top 40 Young Lawyer by the National Alliance of Women in Law, 2019
Nominated to be a Lawyer of Distinction by Lawyers of Distinction, 2019, 2020