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  • Bio
  • Credentials

Melissa Brickey

Of Counsel: Criminal Defense

Melissa brings both years of experience and a diverse legal background. Melissa recently worked as a Deputy District Attorney for the 8th Judicial District. During her tenure as a deputy district attorney, Melissa handled misdemeanor cases ranging from DUIs to domestic violence cases. She also handled juvenile court cases, which range from misdemeanor offenses to felony sexual assault cases. Prior to joining the DA’s office, Melissa worked in private practice taking a variety of civil cases.

In June 2020, Melissa and her family moved to Fort Collins from them metro Atlanta area. Melissa worked as a Senior Staff Attorney to Superior Court Judge for seven years. As a Staff Attorney, Melissa was involved in cases in many different areas of the law that ranged from family law to complex business litigation to felony criminal cases. Prior to her role as a Staff Attorney, Melissa was in private practice that focused on criminal defense and civil cases. Melissa was also a prosecutor for five years before going into private practice.

During her career, Melissa has tried numerous jury trials to verdict and spent most of her career in the courtroom as a litigator and Staff Attorney.

Melissa’s practice with the firm is focused on criminal defense, appeals, and general civil litigation.

Melissa earned her law degree from Loyola University College of Law New Orleans in 2004 and her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alabama in 2001. She is a member of the Colorado bar, Georgia bar, and Alabama bar.

Melissa and her husband Charles, and her son Ben were drawn to Fort Collins for its natural beauty, numerous outdoor activities, and small-town feel. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys riding mountain bikes and hiking with her family, and spending time with her two rescue dogs, Bear and Ruby. She loves college football and cheering on her favorite team, the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Legal Experience

Deputy District Attorney, Eight Judicial District

  • Represent the People of Colorado in District Court. Currently assigned to Juvenile Court
  • Representation encompasses attending disposition hearings, bond hearings, sentencing hearings, motion hearings, and jury trials
  • Evaluate cases based on the merits and applicable law
  • Work closely and collaboratively with legal assistants, investigators, and victim advocates to manage caseload, ensure all evidence necessary for discovery and trial is timely received, and determine whether any further investigation is required
  • Conduct all facets of jury trials from pre-trial motions, jury selection, and opening statements to the presentation of witnesses and evidence, jury instructions, persuasive argument, and receipt of the verdict
  • Draft motions and responses to motions for pending criminal and juvenile cases
  • Conduct legal research, analyze factual and legal issues and statutes related to criminal law in pending cases
  • Manage all dockets for assigned courtroom and ensure cases are moving efficiently
  • Ensure that offers are timely sent to defense counsel and work closely with defense counsel to negotiate fair and just resolutions in cases

Associate Attorney, Wick & Trautwein, LLC

  • Engaged in general civil practice representing and advising clients in civil matters, including adoptions, family law, guardianship, conservatorship, general civil litigation, personal injury, and general business matters
  • Conducted legal research, analyzed factual and legal issues, statutes, rules and regulations relating to civil cases
  • Authored a variety of motions and responses for pending civil cases
  • Conducted in-person and virtual hearings in civil cases as lead counsel

Senior Staff Attorney to Hon. Robert D. Leonard II, Cobb County Superior Court

  • Provided legal advice, counsel, and assistance to the Court
  • Prepared bench briefs summarizing cases prior to hearings and trial; identified and analyzed complex issues of law and fact; and provided recommendations
  • Attended all hearings, bench, and jury trials
  • Conducted legal research and analyzed factual and legal issues, statutes, executive orders, regulations, and rules relating to a variety of civil, criminal, domestic, and administrative actions
  • Drafted complex orders for review and approval by the Court
  • Communicated with attorneys and self-represented parties regarding pending cases
  • Managed the Court’s civil case load, including setting case management deadlines, scheduling hearings and trials
  • Reviewed all pending adoption cases for statutory compliance and recommend finalization

Associate Attorney, Blevins and Hong, P.C. (formerly Rickman and Blevins, PC)

  • Engaged in general practice representing and advising clients in both criminal and civil matters
  • Appeared before a variety of judicial forums throughout metro Atlanta, including: Superior, State and Magistrate Courts, and state administrative bodies
  • Conducted all facets of both jury and bench trials as lead counsel, from pre-trial motions, jury selection, and opening statements, presentation of witnesses and evidence, jury charge conference, persuasive argument, and receipt of the verdict.
  • Argued a variety of criminal pre-trial matters such as bond hearings, arraignments, and motions hearings
  • Conducted legal research, authored motions, supporting briefs, responses in opposition, and appellate briefs.
  • Conducted and defended depositions

Assistant Solicitor General, Cobb County Solicitor General’s Office

  • Represented the State of Georgia in State, Magistrate, and Juvenile Courts. Representation encompasses arraignments, motion hearings, and both jury and non-jury trials
  • Evaluated individual cases based on their merits and in light of the applicable law
  • Directed staff investigators and law enforcement officers in the procurement and analysis of evidence to determine not only the credibility of that evidence but its relevance to the case at hand
  • Conducted all facets of both jury and non-jury trials, from pre-trial motions, jury selection, and opening statements to the presentation of witnesses and evidence, jury charge conference, persuasive argument, and receipt of the verdict
  • Worked with the defense bar and the Judge to negotiate fair sentences for all cases where a negotiated plea could be agreed upon
  • Managed simultaneous calendars for the assigned courtroom
  • Conducted legal research for issues in pending cases
  • Drafted motions and responses for pending criminal cases
  • Responsible for all Appellate work resulting from trial or motions, including conducting legal research, authoring and filing briefs on behalf of the State

Education & Admissions

Juris Doctor

  • Loyola University New Orleans College of Law

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology

  • University of Alabama --- Tuscaloosa, AL

Admissions

  • Colorado
  • Georgia
  • Alabama

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