Melissa's experience includes divorce, custody, property division, alimony, modification of orders, and beyond, including more serious issues like orders of protection. Just as every family is unique, so is each family's legal case. Melissa understands the complexities and sensitives of family law and thus tailors her services and legal strategy to each client's unique needs.
Earning her law degree magna cum laude from Arizona Summit Law School, Melissa also served on the law review, where she gained experience in legal research and persuasive writing. Before law school, Melissa worked in the criminal justice system and earned her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology from Virginia Wesleyan University.
Melissa is the proud mother of four precocious and amazing children. In her free time, she and her husband enjoy traveling with their children, baking, and caring for their animals.
RECENT REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
- Represented the wife in a contentious divorce in which the husband filed a supersedeas bond preventing the wife from selling or touching the $2.3M in real estate she was awarded as part of the divorce pending husband’s appeal. Melissa prevailed, winning her client the ability to move forward with selling some of the real estate, plus winning an additional $12,000.
- Obtained attorney’s fees and costs for her client in a case before the Arizona Court of Appeals, where the husband attempted to modify the PSA (property settlement agreement) in which he had previously agreed to pay half of the $2,700/month mortgage. Melissa argued that the PSA is an uncontested document, and the court found in favor of Melissa’s client and ordered the husband to adhere to the PSA and pay all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.
ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
- Arizona Women Lawyers Association, Steering Committee Member; Co-Chair of Mother's Forum
- Arizona Thurgood Marshall Inn of Court, Member
- Business Network International (BNI) Arizona, Strike Chapter Member
HONORS & AWARDS
- Phoenix Magazine, Top Lawyer, Family Law, 2024
- National Trial Lawyers, Top 25 National Women Trial Lawyers, 2024
- National Trial Lawyers, Top 30 Matrimonial and Family Trial Lawyers, 2024
- Avvo Clients' Choice Award, 2022, 2023, 2024
COMMUNITY & PHILANTHROPY
- Maricopa County Bar Association, Volunteer, 2013-Present
- Wills for Heros, Volunteer, 2013-2020
- Probate Lawyers Assistance Project, Past Volunteer
News
- Phoenix Magazine Names 11 G&K Attorneys to 2024 Top Lawyers - September 3, 2024
- Melissa Benson Secures Two Major Victories For Family Law Clients - August 22, 2024
- Gallagher & Kennedy lures family law practice from another Valley firm - August 5, 2024
- Gallagher & Kennedy Welcomes Lateral Legal Team, Establishing the Firm’s Family Law Practice - August 1, 2024
events
- “Criminal Issues in Family Law: Fraud, Computer Crimes, Domestic Violence, and More,” Presenter, National Business Institute (NBI), April 16, 2024