Melvin R. Welch

Melvin R. Welch was born and raised in a small farm town in Minnesota. Following graduation, Melvin attended college at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, before joining the United States Navy in 1996. As a sailor, Melvin learned Russian and served aboard submarines. During his time in service, Melvin finished college and then worked as a translator in the NATO peacekeeping mission to Kosovo, translating for the United States Army and the Russian 13th Tactical Group in Kamenica, Kosovo.

Melvin R. Welch attended the University of Minnesota Law School and graduated in 2007. Melvin's first employ was with the Office of the State Public Defender as an appeals attorney, challenging wrongful convictions and illegal sentences. After several years with the State Public Defender, Melvin switched sides and prosecuted serious felony crimes for Hennepin County for nearly five years. Among the crimes he prosecuted were: murder, assault, robbery, burglary, drug crimes, property crimes, gun crimes, child abuse, DWIs, and various other crimes. Melvin tried hundreds of constitutional challenges and dozens of cases. He left the Hennepin County Attorney's Office to return to the criminal defense, working as an associate for a criminal defense law firm for a year before starting his own practice of law at Welch Law Firm. Melvin is licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota and U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Melvin has handled serious felony and DWI matters in the five corners of Minnesota, and all over within.

University of Minnesota Law School

J.D. (2007) | Law

2004 - 2007

Honors: Dean's List

Activities: American Indian Bar Association, Moot Court Competitor and Director

University of Maryland - College Park

B.A. (2000) | History and Russian Language & Literature

1998 - 2000

Honors: Dean's list, Native American Academic Excellence Award

Defense Language Institute

Certification | Russian Language

1997 - 1998

Honors: Military Provost Award for Excellence in Russian Language

Activities: United States Navy - active service

Owner

Welch Law Firm LLC

2014 - Current

WELCH LAW FIRM LLC seeks to represent individuals and small business owners against the steady stream of government overreach, whether it is in criminal cases or in civil disputes with governmental administrative bodies. Providing legal services to individuals charged criminally in Minnesota and Federal courts, from petty misdemeanors to felonies, from investigation through appeal, post-conviction challenge, and administrative challenges to collateral consequences. Representing clients in all manner of civil disputes to include: administrative disputes with local/city/state governments, business, contracts, insurance, consumer fraud, banking disputes, and miscellaneous issues resulting in litigation.

Associate

Appelman Law Firm

2013 - 2014

Criminal trial attorney in a small criminal defense firm.

Assistant County Attorney

Office of the Hennepin County Attorney

2008 - 2013

Prosecuted felony crimes for the County of Hennepin. Acted as a liaison to Minneapolis’ Fourth Precinct, working with community leaders and interested parties regarding prosecution of repeat offenders.

Postconvictions and Appeals

Minnesota State Public Defender

2006 - 2008

Represented indigent defendants in post-conviction and appellate proceedings, parole revocation proceedings, risk assessment level assignments and appeals arising out of those administrative actions.

Up & Coming Attorney

Minnesota Lawyer

2017

Honorees for the Up & Coming Attorneys are selected by an outside panel consisting of past Honorees. Up & Coming Attorneys are judged for their professional accomplishments, leadership and service to their community and profession, and achievements in their first 10 years of being admitted to the bar.

Eagle Scout

Boys Scouts of America

1993

Minnesota State Bar

Member

Current

University of Minnesota Alumni and Student Engagement Committee

2015 - Current

Activities: The Alumni & Student Engagement Committee’s work is based on the guiding assumption that both alumni engagement and student success are fostered by bringing alumni and current students together in meaningful ways through events, volunteer work, and other initiatives. The Committee’s goal is to foster and strengthen opportunities for those interactions within the University of Minnesota Law School community. To accomplish this goal, we expect all members of the Committee to actively participate in both the Committee’s work and the events and volunteer opportunities organized by Law School staff.

Minnesota American Indian Bar Association

Board Member

2005 - Current

Minnesota

Since 2007

8th Circuit

Since 2016