Melissa Gifford Hise

My career has been focused on working with families, in particular working with families involved with domestic violence.  I started, while in law school, working with victims of domestic violence and have continued in the role of advocate and lawyer for victims.  I founded Four Points, Inc, in 1996, which is an agency that works with families involved in domestic violence.  I was able to capitalize and broaden my skills for mediation and bridge building at Four Points working with every aspect of the criminal justice system as well as other agencies, both private and governmental that touch families, to improve policies and protocol for both adults and children involved in domestic violence.  I transitioned to the Magistrate Court when I felt it was time for me to leave Four Points to let it grow under new leadership.  I am proud of the work Four Points is still doing.

While I enjoyed my time at the Magistrate Court, it was not fast paced enough for my personal liking and was offered a position by Albert Palmour to practice full-time.  The experience has been wonderful as it has allowed me to broaden my practice and skill level beyond family law.  I now handle litigation of many types of cases and we rarely turn down a case unless it is out of the practice field completely (bankrupty or social security).  And, I've recently begun part-time Magistrate work again taking call twice a month so I'm allowed to do both things that I enjoy so much.

My personal philosophy on how to handle a case is to assist my client in getting the optimum outcome with a focus on he or she as a person.  Sometimes people want one thing but find through the litigation that another is more realistic, tangible and/or desirable.  Taking time to do the research and work will yield the best outcome.  Further, it is important to be honest with clients and them with you.  In choosing a lawyer, I always advise people to meet with the lawyer and determine if you can feel comfortable in sharing your honest feelings and history with them.  If you cannot, then you need to seek another lawyer. It's not all about the price.