Melissa Lorber is a board-certified appellate lawyer who represents businesses in litigation at both the trial and appellate levels, in state and federal courts. She regularly represents clients before the Texas Supreme Court, the Texas Courts of Appeals, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. As a former newspaper journalist, Melissa employs her writing, research, and investigation skills in advocating for her business clients' interests.
Overview
Melissa Lorber is a board-certified appellate lawyer who represents businesses in litigation at both the trial and appellate levels, in state and federal courts. She regularly represents clients before the Texas Supreme Court, the Texas Courts of Appeals, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. As a former newspaper journalist, Melissa employs her writing, research, and investigation skills in advocating for her business clients' interests.
Experience
- Represents clients in appellate matters before the Texas Supreme Court, the Texas Courts of Appeals, the United States Supreme Court, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Develops legal arguments and drafts appellate briefs on wide-ranging issues involved in commercial and regulatory disputes.
- Regularly presents oral arguments in the Texas Supreme Court and state and federal appellate courts.
- Represents clients in all aspects of pretrial preparation as well as in jury and non-jury trials.
- Assists trial counsel with legal analysis, complex legal briefing, dispositive motions, jury charge preparation, and preservation of error during trial.
Distinctions
- Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law
- BL Rankings, The Best Lawyers in America®
- Appellate Practice, 2020-2025
- Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers®
- Texas Super Lawyer, Appellate, 2014-2024
- Rising Star, Texas Monthly, 2007-2014
- Travis County Women Lawyers' Association, Litigation/Appellate Award, 2020
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 2001
- U.S. District Court
- Texas: Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western
- U.S. Court of Appeals
- 5th Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education
- University of Texas School of Law, J.D., with honors, 2001
- The Review of Litigation, Editor-in-Chief
- Women’s Law Caucus, President
- University of Houston-Victoria, M.B.A., Strategic Management, 2019
- University of Arizona, B.A., Journalism and Political Science, magna cum laude,1996
Associations
- State Bar of Texas
- Court Rules Committee, Chair of Appellate Rules Subcommittee, 2024-25
- District 9 Grievance Committee, Chair, 2024-25
- Civil Appellate Section, Member
- Civil Litigation Section, Member
- Foundation Fellow
- Austin Bar Association
- Civil Appellate Section, Member & Past Chair
- Civil Litigation Section, Member
- Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association, President Elect, 2024-25
- Travis County Women Lawyers' Foundation, Board Member & Fellow
- The Robert W. Calvert American Inn of Court, Member
- Texas Bar College, Member
- Mother Attorney Mentoring Association (MAMAs Austin), Member
- Leadership Austin Emerge Alumni
Civic Involvement
- CASA of Travis County Volunteer Advocate (20 years) and Powerful Voice Society Member
- Impact Austin, Grants Leadership Team