Melissa Fell
Attorney at Law
Helping clients resolve conflicts outside the courtroom is the passion and focus for Melissa Fell in her legal practice.
I have focused my work on complex and high conflict divorce and custody cases for the past several years, and have expanded my practice to many other areas of legal service to my clients where I am able to utilize my skills in negotiation and out of court settlement.
As a Collaborative Attorney, I focus on assisting the client through the process of Divorce and related family issues outside of the courtroom. My passion for the collaborative process has grown through my involvement in the Oklahoma Academy of Collaborative Professionals where I am an active member of the Board and currently serve as President. With the rise in popularity of the “Amicable Divorce” I am able to help Oklahoma clients follow this new path to a resolution that is private, cooperative and without the emotional trauma, time and money of the courtroom process.
Helping You Navigate The Process
Having gone through the experience of navigating divorce, custody and raising a child as a solo parent, I have been able to use my personal journey to offer select clients the support of an on-call resource to take them through the difficult process of divorce. I understand what each step of the process is like to go through, and as a trained Collaborative Attorney, Certified Mediator and Certified Life Coach, can offer insight and assistance to the client to move through the process with the goal of the end result leaving them on a better path than when they started. I am passionate about the needs of children throughout the process and will assist the client in keeping the best interest of any children involved in the forefront of their goals. With my “Concierge Attorney” approach, I am able to utilize my wide range of contacts throughout the community and beyond, to assist the client in matters that may arise as a result of a change in their circumstance, should it be a need for a real estate broker, banker, financial or tax advisor, counseling, or seeking a new career path.
While still in school, I became involved with the management of my family businesses. I bring years of experience in business, oil and gas, real estate and Trust management to my practice of law. I assist clients in determining the best course of action when combined assets are at stake in a divorce, as well as how to preserve that wealth for their children. This business experience also lends to my ability to negotiate positive outcomes for clients in other areas of legal practice as well, including contracts, real estate, business, and various types of disputes. I successfully negotiated a student disciplinary action for a PhD. Candidate, securing not only their degree but ability to reap the rewards that may otherwise have been denied. My combination of tact and tenacious negotiating skills have worked to the advantage of personal injury clients, providing them with a much more substantial award than had they without the benefit of my skills. I am always continuing to work on professional development, especially seeking to hone new methods for dispute resolution out of the courtroom.
I have competitively shown, bred and raised American Quarter Horses my whole life, acquiring numerous National, State and World Championship titles.
Having owned and managed a horse training, boarding and breeding facility for many years, I have a deep knowledge of the equine world. This allows me to vigorously represent clients who have disputes arising out of purchase and sale of horses, training, racing and boarding and other areas of equine law as well as consult on all aspects of running and management of an equine business.
Born and raised in Tulsa, I attended Holland Hall school from kindergarten through high school. I earned a B.A. in Philosophy in 1987 and Juris Doctorate in 1995 from The University of Tulsa.
As an undergraduate, I earned an internship with the House Budget Committee for the United States House of Representatives. In Law School, I was active in the Student Bar Association and was admitted to the National Legal Honor Fraternity Phi Delta Phi. I currently serve as Chair of the ADR Section if the Tulsa County Bar Association and as president of the Oklahoma Academy of Collaborative Professionals. I am a member 2021-2022 leadership academy for the IACP.
In spare time, I enjoy volunteering on civic and charitable boards and committees, as well as tennis, golf, travel and cultural events, all of which keep me actively involved in the community.
Admitted to Practice Law
- Oklahoma 1997
Education
- J. D. University of Tulsa College of Law 1995
- B.A. Philosophy University of Tulsa 1987
- Trained Collaborative Attorney
- Certified Life Coach
- Certified Family and Divorce Mediator
Memberships
- Oklahoma Bar Association – Family Law Section
- Tulsa Bar Association - Family Law Section, Litigation Section, Children in the Law Committee
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
- Oklahoma Academy of Collaborative Professionals – Board Member and President 2020-2022
- Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society