About Us
Professional Legal Services in Northampton, MA
Our Attorneys
Patrick J. Melnik Sr.
Patrick J. Melnik Sr. has been serving the Northampton area as an attorney for more than forty years. During that time, he has built a solid reputation in the legal community as a lawyer who goes above and beyond to make the legal system work for his clients. Today, Attorney Melnik is lending his experience, leadership and work ethic to his children Patrick Jr. and Mary as he mentors them in a way that allows the firm to hold on to the values that have made it a name you can trust.
After graduating top of his class (Summa Cum Laude) from the New England School of Law in 1975, Patrick was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar later that same year and began practicing law under the guidance of Ed Podolak, Esq. In 1979 Patrick established Melnik Law Offices and has worked tirelessly there ever since, first as a solo practitioner and now as the managing partner.
When not at the office, Patrick spends his time outside working and playing hard. As an avid fisherman, hiker, bicyclist and hobby maple syrup producer, it is rare to find Patrick sitting down during daylight hours. When he does, he loves to do it surrounded by his family, a good book and the comic section of the day’s paper.
Education
- New England School of Law, JD (Summa Cum Laude)
- The American University, BA
Professional Organizations
Awards and Honors
- Board of Trustees Award for Excellence in Scholarship
- Corpus Juris Sevendum First in Class Book Award
- Law Review: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Years
- First Prize: Boston Sage Deposit and Trust Estate Planning and Drafting Contest
- American Jurisprudence Book Awards for Excellence in the Study of Civil Procedure, Estates and Trusts, and Estate Planning
- New England Law Review: Student Editor 1973-1974
- New England Law Review: Technical Editor 1974-1975
Patrick J. Melnik Jr.
Patrick J. Melnik Jr. has been serving the Northampton area as an attorney for more than eight years. During that time, he has made a name for himself as an exceptional Attorney at Melnik Law Offices.
After graduating from the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Patrick went on to St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire where he studied Sociology. During his senior year, much to his family’s surprise and delight, Patrick announced his intention to study law and join the family firm. He went on to study law at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, where he excelled getting top honors in several of his classes and graduating Cum Laude. During the summer before Patrick’s senior year he was selected to do an internship at the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, which he thoroughly enjoyed. When Patrick graduated law school in 2005, he joined the family law firm and has helped to build the firm’s reputation by being an intelligent, honest, fair, hardworking, and clever attorney.
In his free time, Patrick loves to spend time with his children, Zara and Torin. Like his father, Patrick also loves to work outdoors, he is also an avid fisherman and has an affinity for traveling the world.
Education
- Thomas M. Cooley Law School, JD (Cum Laude)
- St. Anselm College, BA
Professional Organizations
Mary Melnik-Penney
After graduating high school with honors from the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Mary went on to Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine where she studied archaeology and earned an honors degree. After working for a year as a teacher’s aide at Clarke School for the Deaf in New York City, Mary sought new adventure in Newfoundland, Canada. There, at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Mary completed a 2-year graduate program in subarctic archaeology. In 2007, Mary returned to the United States and soon realized that her true calling was to practice law. While working as a paralegal with Melnik Law Offices between 2007-2011, Mary attended Western New England College School of Law where she graduated Cum Laude in 2011. Mary became a partner with the firm early in 2012 and she is looking forward to continuing to bolster the firm’s reputation as a top notch general law practice, with aspirations to expanded into other areas of the law that of are interest, namely family law and environmental law.
In her free time, Mary loves exploring the great outdoors of the Pioneer Valley and Western Massachusetts with her husband, Mark, identical twin daughters, Nora and Kathleen, and her dog, Maggie. Whether it be by foot, by bike, by ski or snowshoe, Mary loves nothing more than being outside enjoying life!
Education
- Western New England College School of Law, JD (Cum Laude)
- Memorial University of Newfoundland, MA
- Bowdoin College, BA (Honors)
Professional Organizations
Joseph E. Szawlowski Sr.
Joseph E. Szawlowski Sr. graduated from Frontier Regional High School in 2002. He then attended Westfield State University and graduated Cum Laude in 2006 with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and minors in Political Science and Psychology. Joseph went on to attend Western New England College School of Law where he graduated in 2009. While in law school, Joseph completed internships at both the Springfield District Court and the Department of Housing and Community Development in Boston.
Joseph is particularly interested in law involving business, estate planning and real estate transactions. He is elated to join his cousins Patrick and Mary at the Melnik Law Office.
In his free time, Joseph enjoys spending time with his wife, Kara, and children Sophie and Joseph Jr., and taking his dog Tiffany for walks all around Western MA!
Education
- Western New England College School of Law, JD
- Westfield State University, BS (Cum Laude)
Professional Organizations
Choose Melnik Law Offices
At Melnik Law Offices, clients experience a personlized approach to all their legal needs. We are a family run firm with more than fifty years of combined experience.
Website Links
Contact Us
- 110 King Street, Northampton, MA 01060
- MelnikLawOffices@gmail.com
- 413.584.6750
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