Melanie Tardell
The People's Attorney
Melanie is a distinguished advocate for those who have been wronged or exploited, earning the moniker "the people's attorney." Her unwavering dedication to justice fuels her tireless representation of individuals from all walks of life—consumers, employees, business owners, private members, and homeowners. If you have suffered harm due to the dishonest or unlawful actions of others, Melanie stands ready to champion your cause to restore what you've lost.
While on a different life and career path, fate stepped in and the legal profession found Melanie. After overcoming her own legal challenges, largely due to an attorney's advocacy, she felt called to become a lawyer herself. Her experience as a client gives her an insightful perspective on what clients face while her education provides an understanding of the legal attributes of each case. Having genuine empathy, a knack for research and writing, and a tenacious spirit, Melanie aims to advocate for and empower each client by helping them navigate their case and move beyond adversity.
Over the years, Melanie grew disheartened as she observed others' disappointment in their legal matters. Between wanting to offer people an improved legal experience and knowing that Big Law was not her path, Melanie was motivated to open a client-friendly law practice built on integrity, compassion, and accessibility. As a result, Signified Law was born.
While obtaining her Juris Doctorate degree, Melanie became a certified mediator and subsequently co-created a divorce mediation program at the Mandel Gisnet Center for Conflict Management in Monterey County. She also interned for a child advocacy law firm, attending family court alongside judges, social workers, counselors, and attorneys in the pursuit of reunifying separated families.
Melanie is a published author, writing for the organization A Voice For Choice Advocacy.
She is grateful on a daily basis for having a faith in God that grounds her in all of her pursuits.
- Monterey College of Law
- J.D. (2016) | Law
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- Honors: Moot Court Finalist
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- Cabrillo College
- A.S. (2012) | Undergrad
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- Founder/Principal Attorney
- Signified Law
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- Signified Law was founded by a lawyer with a passion for civil rights and a habit of helping the underdog. We help those seeking justice for being civilly wronged, whether by an individual, a business, a government agency, or any other entity. Operating in Northern California in the East Bay, we provide services statewide.
- Attorney
- Self-Employed
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- Family Law (divorce, child custody), alternative dispute resolution
- Interning Attorney
- Law Office Of Heidi Simonson
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- Interned for and was mentored by the highly respected Heidi Simonson, Esq. Under Ms. Simonson’s guidance, I practiced family law, working on divorce, child custody, guardianships of the person, and adoption cases.
- Divorce Mediator/Small Claims Advisor
- Mandel Gisnet Center For Conflict Management
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- Divorce Mediation: Co-created a divorce mediation program at the Mandel Gisnet Center for Conflict Management in Monterey County. Mediated divorcing couples and helped facilitate a productive environment as they created their own fair solutions. Small Claims: Helped advise and train community members regarding their small claims issues.
- Family Law Mediation
- Conflict Resolution Center Of Santa Cruz County
- Community Mediation
- Conflict Resolution Center Of Santa Cruz County
- Maximum Lawyer
- Member
- - Current
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- State Bar of California # 317239
- Member
- - Current
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- California Lawyers Association: Family Law Section
- Member
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- Credit Cards Accepted
- Civil Rights
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Discrimination, Employment
- Employment Law
- Employment Discrimination, Wrongful Termination
- Business Law
- Business Contracts
- Health Care Law
- Consumer Law
- Insurance Claims
- Bad Faith Insurance
- Writing & Research
- Name Changes