Melvin O. Shaw is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law (2004). He has a Master’s in journalism from the UI, and a B.S. in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Melvin has been a solo practitioner since he opened his law firm in 2006.
Melvin will serve a one-year term as president of the Iowa State Bar Association starting June 2024. He is Chair of the Iowa Judicial Qualifications Commission and has served on the JQC since 2018. Melvin was appointed to the Lawyers Trust Account Commission 2024-2027 under an order of appointment by Iowa State Supreme Court Justice Susan Larson Christensen.
Melvin is a member of the ISBA’s Business Law, Estate Planning, and Real Estate Law Sections. He is authoring a manuscript for a national legal publisher on Iowa business entities. Melvin has presented on various probate, business law, and real estate topics for the ISBA, National Business Institute, and other groups.
Melvin will serve as Chair-elect of the American Bar Association’s General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division in August 2024 and as GPSolo Division Chair in August 2025. He is a fellow of The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation.
- University of Iowa
- J.D. (2004) | Law
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- Activities: Member, Journal of Corporation Law Student Representative, Law School Dean Search Committee Member, Student Government
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- University of Iowa
- M.A. (1997) | Journalism
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- University of Missouri - Columbia
- B.A. (1995) | Political Science
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- Attorney
- The Law Office of Melvin O. Shaw, P.L.C.
- - Current
- Probate, National Business Institute
- Probate Process from Start to Finish
- National Business Institute
- Probate Process from Start to Finish
- National Business Institute
- Estate Planning Basics
- National Business Institute
- Spousal Elective Share/Laws of Testate/Intestate Succession, Probate Process from A to Z
- Client Champion award
- Martindale-Hubbell
- AV Preeminent
- Martindale-Hubbell
- Avvo Client’s Choice
- Avvo
- Johnson County Bar Association
- Current
- Activities: Johnson County Bar Association (President, 2017 - 2018; Vice President, 2016 - 2017; Treasurer, 2015 - 2016; Secretary, 2013 - 2014)
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- Systems Unlimited, Inc.
- Board Member
- - Current
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- Charter Review Commission, City of Iowa City, Iowa
- Member
- - Current
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- The Housing Fellowship
- Board of Trustees
- - Current
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- Iowa State Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
- Activities: Iowa State Bar Association (Probate, Real Estate, Business Law, and Family Law committees)
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- American Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
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- Iowa
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Credit Cards Accepted
Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express
- Probate
- Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
- Estate Planning
- Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
- Business Law
- Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
- Real Estate Law
- Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law
- English: Spoken, Written