Melissa Fox

Melissa joined ADZ Law, LLP in May 2022, bringing with her a wealth of experience and dedication to family law. Melissa understands that when people seek help from a family law attorney, they are often amid the most turbulent and unsettling time of their life. That understanding has informed Melissa’s practice, to lead with empathy and care as she works towards solutions that meet her clients where they are. Whether through zealous advocacy in the courtroom or negotiations outside of litigation, Melissa strives to serve her clients’ needs while ensuring they feel heard and supported. Her background in public interest and social justice law guides her commitment to achieving just outcomes for her clients.

Her work at ADZ, Law LLP focuses on all aspects of family law including dissolution of marriage, domestic violence restraining orders, child custody matters, child and spousal support, and complex property division.

She earned her Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law in May 2018, where she was an Emory Merit Scholar and recipient of the Justice John Paul Stevens Fellowship. At Santa Clara Law, Melissa focused on public interest work with the goal of helping low-income individuals access the legal system. This work included a clerkship at Bay Area Legal Aid, providing free legal services to low-income individuals in their domestic violence and immigration practice group.

She also gained invaluable experience at Disability Rights California, advocating for children in public schools and state mental health institutions. Her extensive background in domestic violence and youth advocacy non-profits has equipped her with a strong foundation for her career in family law.

Melissa also held a year-long position with Santa Clara Law’s International Human Rights Clinic, where she co-authored a comprehensive study and report for the Santa Clara County Office of Women’s Policy, highlighting the conditions and causes of homelessness among women in the county. She also co-authored an ordinance adopted by Santa Clara County to create a task force to implement the Convention to Eliminate all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

She has been named a Super Lawyers® Northern California Rising Star from 2023 to 2024, an honor awarded to only 2.5% of attorneys in California each year. Melissa also volunteers her time providing pro bono representation for Asylum seekers at the Jewish Family and Community Services organization, and serves as a volunteer attorney for the Family Violence Law Center’s Pro Bono Domestic Violence Clinic held at the Hayward Hall of Justice.

Before joining ADZ Law, Melissa worked as an attorney at a boutique family law firm in San Jose and clerked for a Santa Clara County Family Law Judge, the Honorable James Towery (Ret.) She earned her undergraduate degree in history from the University of Arizona, Tucson. Bear Down Wildcats!

In her free time, Melissa enjoys seeing live music, making sorry attempts at gardening, and spending time outdoors with her rescue dog.

Choose Melissa at ADZ Law, LLP for compassionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated family law representation.