Melissa C. Merritt
Associate
Melissa Merritt was raised in Gainesville, Florida. She graduated from the University of Florida Summa cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Telecommunications. Mrs. Merritt then went on to earn her law degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. While in law school, she also took additional courses and volunteered with clinics provided by the Center on Children and Families to earn a certificate in Family Law.
Mrs. Merritt was awarded the Book Award for earning the highest final grade in her Collaborative Law course. She was also a member of the law school’s Trial Team, and was on the 2010 winning team of the Florida Bar Chester Bedell Memorial Mock Trial Competition.
Mrs. Merritt was selected by her professor to be a Teaching Assistant for both Legal Research & Writing as well as Appellate Advocacy. While earning her law degree, Mrs. Merritt was also a Fellow of the Florida Bar Foundation. Following graduation, Mrs. Merritt put her trial skills to work for the Office of the State Attorney in the 4th Judicial Circuit.
As an Assistant State Attorney, she tried over 25 cases ranging from Driving Under the Influence to Attempted Murder. After a few years in the criminal courtroom, Mrs. Merritt was eager to return to serving children and families. Working at Kenny Leigh & Associates, provides her with the opportunity to assist fathers in making tough legal decisions that will best serve and benefit their families.
