Melissa Renee Pendergrass

Melissa Renee Pendergrass

also known as Melissa R. Pendergrass

4.5
Rating: 6.5

Licensed for 19 years

Family Lawyer at Orlando, FL
Practice Areas: Family, Child Custody, Alimony ... +4 more

1317 Edgewater Drive (mailing only), Ste 3388, Orlando, FL

About Melissa

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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 Florida for 19 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 2006

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

A Better Direction Law, LLC

1317 Edgewater Drive (mailing only), Ste 3388, Orlando, FL, 32804

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Melissa Renee Pendergrass's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.5 /5.0

8 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (8) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Case Results

Posted by anonymous | January 27, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Please run far far away from this woman

I hired this woman for my first time felony criminal charge (domestic dispute between my then husband and his mistress). I was told by her I had accept a plea deal by the state or face prison time on my first offense. I still to this day have never seen the evidence in my case. I asked to speak to he...r boss and after multiple times I was never allowed to. Im not a convicted felon until I am buried and cant even seal my charges. Please dont be like me

Melissa Pendergrass

Replied last January 29, 2026

Although it has been several years since I practiced criminal law, when I did, my objective was to focus on achieving the best possible results for the charges, facts, and evidence in the case. As stated in your review, you faced the possibility of going to prison, which was avoided. Also stated in your review, we were able to avoid you being a convicted felon. As to the ability to seal your charges, certain crimes have been determined by the legislature to be ineligible for sealing; unfortunately, yours is one of those.

Posted by anonymous | August 11, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Family

Amazing attorney!! Highly Recommend

My family is so pleased and thankful for Melissa Pendergrass and her team! They fought hard for me regarding family matter law and won !! The office was great and staff were very helpful! They were there to answer any question I had big or small in a very fast matter. Any question I had was urgent t...hey replied fast to them!! I would recommend her to anyone who is in need of family matter and custody! My family is forever grateful to her team and all their support!! We cannot thank them enough for all their hard work and dedication to their clients!!!

Posted by Hunter | August 08, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Best attorney

My wife and I have hired Melissa on two occasions for child custody and both times she has fought for what we wanted and has won both times. She answers your questions appropriately and in a timely manner. She knows what she is doing and does her job well.

Posted by Kathleen | May 19, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Family Law

My case was truly a challenge. With the death of my daughter, an autistic child was kept by my daughter's friend & kept away from all family with no contact for several months. DCF refused assistance. DCF said they do Not do custody! Melissa Pendergrass and the office staff, (including leg...al secretary, Michelle, & paralegal Robert ) are amazing! The thorough investigation resulted in a parenting class and a Family Petition Agreement. After the signature of our Honorary Judge, a Sheriff's Deputy picked up this autistic child from the person keeping them & returned them to their family. God Bless You All! ..... to anyone reading this comment .... Trust in This Attorney! MELISSA PENDERGRASS IS THE ATTORNEY TO HIRE! Her professional & knowledgeable office personnel are there waiting to hear from you.

Posted by Joseph | October 03, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Family

Family law: amazing.

Melissa Pendergrass, Esquire and Robert Ray, paralegal; accept me as a client regarding a family law matter in March of 2016. Now, October 2017, Our case has only recently closed. I couldn't be more please with everything that they achieved. Melissa and Robert not only navigate my unique situation, ...but do it with ease. .Ten years I did this without an attorney. Never in my life will I do it again, Not with a team that talented in my hometown.

See All Client Reviews

Melissa Renee Pendergrass's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Melissa
Christina Ann Buchan headshot
Christina Buchan

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 29

Relationship: Family member

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements

No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating:  6.5 (Good)

Work Experience

2022 - Present

Owner, A Better Direction Law, LLC

Associations

2015 - Present

Citrus County Bar Association

Education

2005

Florida A&M University, College of Law

Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor

2002

University of Central Florida

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Languages

English

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