Melissa Justine Cantwell

Melissa Justine Cantwell

4.6
Rating: 7.7

Licensed for 15 years

Child custody Lawyer at Southampton, PA
Practice Areas: Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce & Separation ... +2 more

509 Lakeside Park, Southampton, PA

About Melissa

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Child Custody 25%

16 years

25%
Child Support 25%

16 years

25%
Alimony 15%

16 years

15%
Adoption 10%

16 years

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 45 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in New Jersey for 15 years

State: New Jersey

Acquired: 2010

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Pennsylvania for 15 years

State: Pennsylvania

Acquired: 2010

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Cantwell Law Offices

509 Lakeside Park, Southampton, PA, 18966

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Melissa Justine Cantwell's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.6 /5.0

30 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (30) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 9 reviews | Divorce & Separation

Posted by anonymous | September 03, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Rude and unprofessional

My ex hired Melissa 4 years ago and our divorce still isn’t finalized. The Philly court told me to call them to ask why (I’m representing myself). When I called, they said they won’t give me legal advice and hung up on me. To be clear, asking for the status of a divorce that was filed 4 years ago isn...’t legal advice. And to hang up on a caller like that is rude and unprofessional. Not to mention that a divorce shouldn’t take 4 years to finalize.

Melissa Cantwell

Replied last December 31, 2025

Ashley, I represented your ex four years ago. You and I have no attorney-client relationship as you are the opposing party. Even after we told you this, you continued to harass my staff. The divorce would have been done years ago, but you might remember when you dodged service, and then refused to speak to me or sign any paperwork. That is what held up the divorce, not me.

Posted by Lisa | January 31, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Excellent family lawyer

My family's experience with Melissa was wonderful. Even though it was a different situation as my parents were going through a divorce, she made the process seamless, easy, quick and affordable. We can't thank her enough for everything she did for us, down to every detail, question amd extra email ...we sent. I always recommend her services!

Posted by Emily | January 29, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Highly recommend

Melissa handled a very delicate divorce and adoption for my family. She was professional, caring, and went above and beyond for us. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a family law attorney. I cannot say enough about what an amazing job she did for us.

Posted by Kimberly | January 29, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Amazing

If you find yourself in a situation (DIVORCE/CUSTODY...) for which I suspect you are looking for the most unbelievable lawyer by YOUR side “from beginning to the end” I strongly suggest you hire Melissa!! I will forever be GRATEFUL that Melissa was the lawyer who stood WITH me and my family!!!!

Posted by Sara | July 09, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Great lawyer!!

Melissa is a fantastic lawyer and works very hard for her clients. I've learned a great deal from her throughout dealing with divorce and ongoing custody matters which has only helped more as time has passed. She has always been very patient and willing to answer all of my questions and I would recom...mend heher in a heartbeat.

See All Client Reviews

Melissa Justine Cantwell's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Melissa
Paul Brownstein headshot
Paul Brownstein

Child custody lawyer | May 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer for her conscientious and professional attention to the case. I've dealt with her both as an opposing counsel and as a colleague in matters where we were lawyers in a case of interest to us. Melissa is friendly, compassionate and gives attention to detail which is very important in our business. I could recommend her without reservation and in fact have done so when I have been unable because of scheduling to handle a case myself."

Ayla Julia O'Brien headshot
Ayla O'Brien

Family lawyer | Mar 25

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Ms. Cantwell is a great attorney. I would never hesitate to refer clients to her. Ms. Cantwell is very effective and efficient in representing her clients. She cares deeply for her clients and is passionate about her work. Ms. Cantwell is a pleasure to work with and I hope to work with her again in the future."

Rachel Mara Mueller headshot
Rachel Mueller

Family lawyer | Aug 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ms. Cantwell has provided excellent legal representation to her clients and works diligently to ensure their success in all her representative matters."

View All Endorsements
Paul Brownstein headshot
Paul Brownstein

Family lawyer

Ayla Julia O'Brien headshot
Ayla O'Brien

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  7.7 (Very Good)

Work Experience

2013 - Present

Owner, Cantwell Law Offices

Associations

2011 - Present

Bucks County Bar Association

Member

Education

2010

Temple University - James E. Beasley School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

2006

Pennsylvania State University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution