Melinda T.  Derish

Melinda is a unique and invaluable asset to our firm that few other law firms can match.  Prior to becoming a lawyer Melinda was a gifted pediatrician with over fifteen years of experience at Stanford University hospital.  Melinda joins us having recently graduated from U.C.Berkeley's Boalt Hall School of Law.

Melinda obtained her undergraduate degree at the University of California Berkeley, and thereafter attended medical school at the University of California San Diego.  After medical school Melinda completed her internship, residency, and a two-year pediatric critical care fellowship at Stanford University.  Beginning in 1991, Melinda served as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the division of critical care at Stanford.  She held this position until 1999.

In 2000, Melinda began her legal studies at Boalt, graduating in 2003.  While there, she was the recipient of numerous honors, including the Prosser Award in advanced legal research, and the Moot Court Advocacy Award.

Melinda is a published author in both of her chosen professions.  In the medical area she has co-authored articles in peer review journals including The Journal of Pediatrics and Pediatric Pulmonology.  She is also the author of three chapters in Nelson's Text Book of Pediatrics, 16th Ed., published by W.B.  Saunders (2000).

Her scholarly publications in the field of law include "Mature Minors Should Have the Right to Refuse Life-Sustaining Medical Treatment" published in the Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics.

Obviously, Melinda's special training, background and expertise in medicine and critical care make her particularly qualified to assist in the representation of clients afflicted with all types of severe burn injuries.  She has treated and represented the victims of burn injuries.

Since joining our law firm Melinda has become as successful in her trial results as she had been caring for her patients.  She has obtained several seven figure results and settlements.  She is available to offer a unique medical legal perspective on cases for burn injury victims.