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Melissa Fertel has been representing individuals and businesses from the date she was licensed to practice law in the State of Texas. Her primary area of practice is family law, which includes issues of divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, property characterization, valuation, and tracing, modifications of visitation and parental rights, enforcement of court orders, and pre-marital and post-marital agreements. In order to effectively represent the many interests of her clients, Ms. Fertel has developed a working knowledge of other areas of law, such as real estate, transactional law (business and corporations), intellectual property, tax, criminal law, and constitutional law.
The types of various litigation she has handled in court are case specific, but often involve custody, visitation and support matters. A significant number of hearings deal with complex pre-trial disputes involving custody, property division and business matters (such as rights and interests in real estate, commercial entities and property valuations). She has recently lectured on family law topics to the State Bar of Texas and the University of Houston Law Foundation.
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Ms. Fertel has vast experience in medical privacy issues, having written and spoken on this topic. She also has experience in litigating medical privacy issues involving lawfully protected health information, such as mental health and substance abuse (drug and alcohol abuse) matters.
Ms. Fertel has been recognized by her peers and named a 2006 Rising Star Super Lawyer and 2005 Rising Star Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly Magazine, 2006 Top Family Lawyers by H Magazine and 2004 Lawyer on the Fast Track by H Magazine.
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EDUCATION
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Legal:
South Texas College of Law, Houston, Texas (J.D.)
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Undergraduate:
University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas (B.A. History; Minor, Biology) |
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Professional Licenses:
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State Bar of Texas (all courts)
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United States District Court, Southern District of Texas
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Professional Associations:
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Texas Bar Association |
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State Bar of Texas Family Law Section |
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The Texas State Bar College
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American Bar Association (ABA)
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ABA –
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Family Law Section
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ABA – |
Executive Member of the Congressional Relations Committee of the Family Law Section for the
2006–2007 term
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ABA – |
Committee on Trial Practice and Techniques of the Family Law Section for the year 2006–2007
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ABA – |
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Association of Women Attorneys
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Certifications:
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Certified Mediator, Resolution Forum, Inc.
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Certified Advanced Collaborative Family Law Training, Alliance of Collaborative Family Law Attorneys
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Bilingual: |
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Recognitions: |
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2006 RISING STAR SUPER LAWYER — Texas Monthly Magazine
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2006 TOP FAMILY LAWYERS — H Magazine |
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2005 RISING STAR SUPER LAWYER — Texas Monthly Magazine
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2004 LAWYER ON THE FAST TRACK — H Magazine |
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Law Related Publications and Speeches: |
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Discovery of Medical and Psychological Information
Family Law Practice Seminar
University of Houston Law Foundation
Houston – November 9–10, 2006
Dallas – November 16–17, 2006
(Author/Speaker)
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HIPAA: Important Information Family Law Lawyers Must Know
Family Law Practice Seminar
University of Houston Law Foundation
Houston – November 10–11, 2005
Dallas – November 17–18, 2005
(Author/Speaker)
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HIPAA’S in the Zoo:
Hot Tips for Handling Medical Health Records in Litigation
Advanced Family Law Seminar
State Bar Of Texas
Dallas – August 8–11, 2005
Houston – October 5–7, 2005
South Padre Island – October 12–14, 2005
(Author/Speaker)
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Medical Privacy in Litigation:
HIPAA Affects More Than You Think
Advanced Civil Litigation
University of Houston Law Foundation
Houston – May 5–6, 2005
Dallas – May 19–20, 2005
Austin – August 11–12, 2005
(Author/Speaker)
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HIPAA’s Effect On Family Law
28th Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute
State Bar of Texas
Galveston, Texas, April 21–22, 2005
(Author/Speaker)
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PARENT VS. THIRD PARTY: WORKING WITH TROXEL
University Of Houston Law Foundation
Houston – October 31–November 1, 2002
Dallas – November 7–8, 2002
(Co-author)
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TRUSTS IN FAMILY LAW
Advanced Family Law Drafting Course
December 6-7, 2001
(Co-author)
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Family Law Essentials
State Bar of Texas, “Characterization and Tracing on a Budget”, March 11. 2005
(Speaker)
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Co-Parenting Solutions, Tools For Diffusing Conflict
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, State Conference.
“Overcoming the Blame Game: Ethical Issues, Parenting Plans and Parenting Coordinators” October 1, 2005
(Speaker)
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© 2009. The Fertel Law Firm, P.C. • 2100 West Loop South • Suite 1125 • Houston, Texas 77027 • 713.524.9856 • FAX 713.337.1068
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