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Melody is a Partner in the Zoning, Land Use, and Government Relations group at Andersen, Tate & Carr. Melody successfully maintains an active zoning and land use practice wherein she advocates land use positions of property owners, builders, and developers throughout the metro Atlanta area. She has negotiated numerous zoning and development actions and advises clients regarding environmental regulations and municipal ordinances. This includes representation of clients at public hearings and during court proceedings.
Melody also successfully maintains an Estate Planning & Probate practice, which focuses on preparation of estate planning documents, as well as disputes involving wills, trusts, and estates. She represents clients in all phases of fiduciary litigation, including filing pleadings, conducting discovery, and preparing for hearings and trial. She also engages in settlement discussions and negotiations with her clients in an effort to resolve their disputes prior to lengthy litigation in an attempt to preserve client resources. Melody has administered numerous complex estates and successfully prosecuted and defended will contests and fiduciary claims involving executor and trustee misconduct. Melody further assists families with contested and uncontested guardianships and conservatorships, and all phases of probate administration. In terms of transactional estate work, she represents clients of all wealth classifications with estate planning, including preparation of Last Will & Testaments, Powers of Attorney, and Healthcare Directives.
Melody received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from The University of Georgia in 1996, and then obtained her paralegal degree before joining the firm of King & Spalding as a certified paralegal. Melody then attended The Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, where she was selected for membership on the Mercer Law Review as well as the Mercer Moot Court Board. During law school, she was awarded several honors, including the D. Meade Field Memorial Award, the Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement in Legal Writing, and an alumni merit scholarship.
Melody initially started her legal career as an associate with the insurance defense firm of Swift Currie. After practicing for several years in Atlanta, she returned home to Gwinnett County where she soon became a Partner with Webb, Tanner, & Powell, LLP. In January 2014, Melody joined Andersen Tate & Carr, P.C.
Melody is very active in the Gwinnett County community and serves on numerous charitable boards and organizations. She served on the State Disciplinary Board for the State Bar of Georgia for eight years, which investigates members of the State Bar of Georgia for violations of the Standards of Conduct set forth in the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct, serving as Chair in her last year. Melody also served as Chair of Estate Planning & Probate Section for the Gwinnett County Bar Association. She is a current Board Member of the Council for Quality Growth, including Chair of the Gwinnett Advisory Board. Melody is also an active alumni of the Leadership Gwinnett program.
Since 2018, Melody has been recognized annually as a Georgia Super Lawyer by Law & Politics Magazine, a designation reserved for only 5% of attorneys in the State of Georgia.
Melody is a life-long resident of Gwinnett County, where she resides with her husband and two children.
5
Practice Areas
24 years
24 years
24 years
24 years
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Chat withState: Georgia
Acquired: 2002
No misconduct found
One Sugarloaf Center, 1960 Satellite Blvd., Suite 4000, Duluth, GA, 30097
Not Yet Reviewed
"Melody is a first class lawyer. We have worked together on a number of cases. She is aggressive, competent and well-liked by virtually everyone in this area of practice. I have the highest respect for Melody, and unqualifiedly endorse her."
Trusts lawyer
2018
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2014 - Present
Partner, Andersen, Tate & Carr, PC
2004 - 2014
Associate and Partner, Webb Tanner & Powell, LLP
2002 - 2004
Associate, Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers, LLP
2020 - Present
Council for Quality GrowthBoard Member
2002 - Present
State Bar of GeorgiaMember
2019 - 2024
Aurora TheatreBoard Member, Officer
2018 - 2023
Home of Hope, Gwinnett Women and Children's ShelterBoard Member
2014 - 2020
Gwinnett County Bar AssociationSection Chair, Estate Planning & Probate
2013 - 2014
Leadership GwinnettAlumni
2013 - 2017
Georgia Association for Women LawyersGwinnett Chapter, Treasurer
2011 - 2018
State Disciplinary Board - State Bar of GeorgiaInvestigative Panel Member
2010 - 2018
Community Foundation for Northeast GeorgiaProfessional Advisor
$4,639,000 jury verdict
2002
JD - Juris Doctor
1996
BA - Bachelor of Arts
English