I grew up in Indialantic, Florida, attending Gemini and Indialantic Elementary, Hoover Junior High and Melbourne High School - Go Bulldogs! I played a number of sports growing up, including soccer, softball, volleyball and swimming. I then went to Stetson University on a soccer scholarship.
During my time at Stetson, I studied abroad in Nottingham, England and traveled to London, Paris and Munich with school programs. During that time I met my future husband, Martin, who was playing soccer for the Florida Institute of Technology.
After graduating from Stetson with my Bachelor's degree (minor in German), I went on to Florida State University for law school. Three years later, I passed the bar exam and began a master's degree at Florida State University. I worked at the Florida House of Representatives in the Fiscal Responsibility Committee during that time and completed the degree while at the Florida State University London campus.
Thereafter, I remained in London with my husband and began working with Gilbert, Turner & Coomber in the area of criminal defense. I qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2004 and practiced in the areas of criminal defense, prison law and immigration.
In 2010, we decided as a family to move back to Florida where I started working as an Assistant State Attorney in Florida's 18th Judicial Circuit. I was fortunate enough to be part of a wonderful organization at the State Attorney's Office and gained invaluable trial and advocacy experience. I then had the good fortune to be hired by John and Lynda Moser at Moser & Moser, P.A. and practised with that firm for over a year in the areas of family law, criminal defense and immigration.
We have a wonderful legal team at Coastal Legal Team, L.L.C. and would love to help you with your legal needs. We take a team effort in our representation and are dedicated to getting the best result possible for our clients.
Practice areas
20 years
9 years
20 years
20 years
Languages spoken
English
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| FL | Member in Good Standing | 2001 | 06/11/2021 |
| Legal answers | 91 |
| Legal guides | 0 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Young Lawyer Professionalism Award | Brevard County Bar Association | 2012 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Member | Coastal Legal Team, L.L.C. | 2013 - Present |
| Consultant Attorney | McLarty and Co, Solicitors | 2010 - Present |
| Attorney | Moser & Moser, PA | 2012 - 2013 |
| Assistant State Attorney | State Attorney's Office, 18th Judicial Circuit (Brevard & Seminole County) | 2010 - 2012 |
| Associate | McLarty and Co., Solicitors | 2006 - 2010 |
| Associate | Gilbert, Turner & Coomber, Solicitors | 2004 - 2006 |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Clerk | Gilbert, Turner & Coomber, Solicitors | 2002 - 2004 |
| Extern | Florida House Of Representatives, Fiscal Responsibility Committee | 2001 - 2002 |
| Law Clerk | Carlton Fields | 2000 - 2001 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Certified Family Law Mediator | N/A | 2020 - Present |
| National Association of Civil Law Notaries | Member | 2014 - Present |
| Brevard County Bar Association | N/A | 2010 - Present |
| Junior League | Sustainer, League Attorney | 2010 - Present |
| Florida Association for Women Lawyers (Brevard County chapter) | Member | 2010 - Present |
| United Kingdom Roll of Solicitors | Member | 2004 - Present |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Bar | Member | 2001 - Present |
| Vassar B. Carlton American Inn of Court | Associate | 2011 - 2013 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Florida State University | Master of Science | 2002 |
| The Florida State University College of Law | Juris Doctorate | 2001 |
| Stetson University | Bachelor of Business Administration | 1998 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Luncheon | Immigration Consequences for Criminal Defendants | 2013 |
| International Studies | Comparative Law (USA/England & Wales) | 2009 |
| Continuing Legal Education | Prison Law | 2009 |
| International Studies | Comparative Law (USA/England & Wales) | 2008 |
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Mon Sep 28 2020
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Tue Oct 03 2017
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Thu Jun 04 2015
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Thu Jul 19 2012
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Sat Apr 20 2019
Eric Wicks, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 3, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I have had the opportunity to serve as opposing counsel on a case with Ms. Engle Peat. She was professional and straightforward. I have also had an opportunity to know her as a criminal defense attorney and she is a welcome addition to the criminal defense bar.
John Moore, Family Attorney on Jan 24, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Beau Bowin, Family Attorney on Mar 2, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known and worked with Ms. Peat for several years and have always been impressed with her legal knowledge, work ethic and experience. I highly endorse Ms. Peat if you are in need of a Family or Criminal Attorney in Brevard County give Coastal Legal Team a call.
Kendall Horween, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 6, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Melissa is a strong and experienced advocate for her clients.
Rhonda Henderson, Immigration Attorney on Mar 12, 2014
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer. Melissa knows immigration law and is bringing good advocacy and representation to Brevard County.
Sean Cutshall, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 26, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have had the opportunity to watch Melissa litigate a few times over the course of the last few years. She is a very effective advocate for her clients, whether you need her for criminal or immigration matter. Most importantly, Melissa gets results for her clients.
Ashley Severance, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 13, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Melissa is a zealous advocate who always acts with professionalism.
Michelle Studstill, Family Attorney on May 21, 2013
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I highly recommend Melissa Peat. I have worked with her as a co-worker and colleague at the State Attorney's Office and as opposing counsel on a matter in private practice. Melissa is a strong advocate for her clients and always displays a high degree of professionalism.
I have worked with Melissa and found her very diligent and knowledgeable.
William Cleckner, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 16, 2012
Relationship: Co-worker
Melissa is outstanding! We worked together as assistant state attorneys. She is very professional and very detail oriented. Highly recommend Melissa.
Troy Webber, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 8, 2012
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I knew Melissa Peat as an Assistant Public Defender in the Melbourne, Florida. She is a consummate professional and, as a prosecutor, demonstrated the utmost thoroughness and passion in every case she handled.
Gary Kester, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 23, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Paul Bross, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 15, 2012
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Great person, great attorney.
Jeffrey Boston, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 28, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Melissa Peat is a professional. She is a competent, courteous, and compassionate counselor with a sharp wit and an easy smile.
Lynda Moser, Immigration Attorney on Jul 18, 2012
Relationship: Supervised lawyer
I enthusiastically endorse Melissa Peat. She is an extremely capable attorney in and out of the courtroom. She's very knowledgeable regarding immigration, criminal defense, and family law cases.
Mario Musil, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 18, 2012
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Peat is a diligent and knowledgeable professional in the community. I would highly recommend her for your legal needs.
Bryan Lober, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 20, 2012
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I have known Attorney Peat since shortly after I began practicing in Brevard County. Prior to Melissa becoming a defense attorney, I had cases in which she served as opposing counsel. Her knowledge of each case and attention to detail were consistently top notch. Criminal defense clients will definitely benefit from her background and experience.
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