Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

I am an attorney with Law Offices of Mark E. Melendy, PLLC, with offices in Woodstock, Vermont, and Hanover, New Hampshire, practicing in the areas of estate planning, estate administration, asset protection planning, disability planning, founder of Planful Path™ Family Wealth Protection Programs and Inclusive Wealth Strategy™. I have developed a program called Ten Steps to Successful and Purposeful Legacy Planning. My mission is that anyone can attain an estate plan that is unique to their needs and which considers their financial wealth as well as their invaluable intangible wealth.

My practice is devoted to the representation of individuals and families who have been injured due to the negligence or wrongful acts of others. Unlike some attorneys, our firm litigates cases and tries them to verdict before a jury when appropriate. I never work for an insurance company.

I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree from Cornell University and received my J. D. Degree, with honors, from the University of Miami School of Law. I began my law career as an associate of the noted personal injury attorney and former Miami Beach, Florida, Mayor, Jay Dermer in 1979. Upon Jay's untimely death in 1984, I opened my own practice on Flagler Street in Miami, Florida. I moved my family and personal injury practice to Vermont in 1991 and am currently licensed in both Vermont and Florida and practice before the state and federal courts there.

I am a member of the Brain Injury Association of Vermont, the American Association for Justice, the Vermont Association for Justice, the Rutland County Bar Association, the Vermont Bar Association, and The Florida Bar. I am a past President of the Shrewsbury, VT Elementary School Board, and a past member of the Rutland South Supervisory Union School Board. I have worked from the Boards' perspective on contract negotiations with the local teachers Union and I have served on numerous committees on behalf of the Boards, including the Superintendent and Principal Search Committees.

My wife of 28 years, Charlene, and I are recent empty-nesters and reside in Shrewsbury, Vermont with a Newfoundland and a Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff) and a cat. I am an avid fisherman and turkey hunter and a longtime member of the Green Mountain Fly Tyers Club. I am also a hobby aquarist, raising Endler's Livebearers.

Each of my personal injury cases is handled by me personally and your claim is not farmed out to paralegals or secretaries to work on your case. I maintain a modest in-house library of medical texts and forensic texts and have contacts with medical, vocational, accident reconstruction and economic experts and other experts around the country to consult with me and assist with case development as necessary. I limit the number and kind of cases I accept each year, so that I can devote the needed attention to each individual client. Feel free to call me at our toll free number 1-800-525-5751 to arrange a free consultation concerning your claim. I can also be contacted by e-mail at LL57@cornell.edu. Appointments can be arranged here at our offices or we can visit you in hospital or at your home.

I have been with the firm for more than a decade, and I am a partner. I am a native Vermonter, and I grew up in Brattleboro.

I specialize in representing injured workers in their workers’ compensation claims and people who have been injured due to the negligence of others. I get excited about championing the underdog or someone who has been treated unfairly.
I enjoy technical medical and legal issues and pushing for what I think is right even if it is not a popular position or even if it may be very difficult or time-consuming.

A recent case involves the family of a deceased firefighter who try to get the WC benefits they deserve. This case has taken a lot of time and involves complicated medical testimony and legal argument. While appealing the case to the Vermont Supreme Court, the Vermont Legislature created a presumption to cover the unfairness I am seeking to prevent in the case, but since it doesn’t cover our clients in this case, I may be fighting an uphill battle. But I am passionate about my position and it is the right thing to do.

When I was younger, I was involved in competitive skiing and I was an NCAA four time All American, and competed in the 1988 Calgary Olympics.

Solo Practitioner with focus on real estate transactions and estate planning; negotiate purchase and sales contracts; perform title searches; prepare title insurance, deeds and other documents of transfer; closing agent for several local and out-of-state banks; Chicago Title Insurance Company Agent.