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Melissa Ann Gawelek
also known as The Law Offices of Melissa A Gawelek
About Melissa
Biography
Melissa A. Gawelek is an experienced and compassionate immigration attorney. She graduated from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 2013 with a concentration in International and Comparative Law. Focusing her curriculum on immigration law, she participated in many hands-on learning opportunities during school. One of her favorite experiences was studying international human rights in Strasbourg, France where she was inspired by visits to the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights. During her second year of law school, she externed for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, where she gained a behind-the-scenes look at removal proceedings. As a third year student, she worked as student associate for the school’s civil litigation clinic where she worked with clients in various legal matters, including a complex appeal of a detained asylum seeker’s removal order. For her volunteer work during law school she was awarded the Pro Bono and Community Service award in Gawelek truly enjoys the challenging and changing nature of immigration law. She has helped refugees and immigrants from many different nations file hundreds of applications and petitions. Among her many interests, Mrs. Gawelek is greatly interested in refugee issues and human trafficking cessation. A compassionate advocate, Attorney Gawelek has participated in relief work in many developing nations. She has additional training in Critical Incident Stress Management and Disaster Response, tools which aid her in compassionately representing clients who may have survived torture, domestic violence, or displacement. Her current and former clients have appreciated her down-to-earth approach, her warmth, and ability to connect on a human Gawelek is licensed by the Ohio Supreme Court and can practice immigration law in all fifty states. She is a proud member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, the Akron Bar Association, the West Shore Bar Association, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She assists several local non-profits with pro or low-bono representation for needy clients, and she sits on the Board of the Cleveland Marshall College of Law Alumni Gawelek lives in Parma, Ohio with her husband and two adopted pugs. She enjoys traveling, music, and adventures in the great more about why she loves what she gets to do for a living, here.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Immigration
70%
12 years
Asylum
30%
12 years
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Ohio for 11 years
State: Ohio
Acquired: 2014
No misconduct found
Location
The Law Offices of Melissa Gawelek
789 West Market Street, Akron, OH, 44303
The Law Offices of Melissa Gawelek
1085 Rockside Road, Suite 8, Parma, OH, 44134
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Melissa Ann Gawelek's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 17 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Sherry | June 15, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Sherry Thibault
Melissa was excellent attorney and I could not have a better attorney. She was very kind and thoughtful and Loving person.
Posted by anonymous | July 28, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Client
I’ve spent thousands hiring this attorney ..upwards of 10,000 and sadly my love and I are still not processed. They always ask for more money and still no progress in any way on my immagration case ..call the office with a question , no return call ,just ignored . They really only care about taking y...
Melissa Gawelek
Replied last March 20, 2023This review does not appear to have been left by an actual client of mine. Perhaps they have confused me with someone else? I do not charge over “$10,000” for a typical family reunification case, nor do I recall any such case pending for over “three years.” Should the author be an honest client with a true complaint, they may email me at [email protected] to resolve. If not, please consider removing this negative review.
Posted by Richard | January 27, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Won an asylum case
I was referred to Melissa after my case was dropped my a previous attorney. Little did I know is that I was actually miraculously being connected to a more professional and more competent counsel. If you have an asylum application with the court; I recommend Melissa and her team. Very skillful and hu...
Posted by anonymous | September 16, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Naturalization
Melissa helped me obtain my US citizenship flawlessly. She eased all of my anxieties about the process. I would recommend her to anyone who is looking to apply for their citizenship. She was wonderful to work with and is really passionate about her job. I truly enjoyed working with her and couldn't b...
Posted by AJ | December 4, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Thank you!
The immigration process can be intimidating for many but Melissa helped me through and through. Thank you!
Melissa Ann Gawelek's Lawyer Endorsements
"Melissa is a compassionate and intelligent attorney with substantial drive and enthusiasm to handle her clients' matters in the best manner. I have had the privilege to work alongside with Melissa and watch her passionately speak with and listen to her clients to determine the best approach for their case. Melissa fights for justice and the rights of her clients in a zealous manner."
"Melissa is brilliant, incredibly hardworking, and exceptionally devoted to her clients. She possesses a wealth of knowledge about the intricacies of immigration and many other areas of the law. Melissa is a zealous advocate and would serve as a valuable asset for anyone to have in their corner and on their side."
"I endorse and highly recommend this attorney. Melissa is very thoughtful and knowledgeable in the area of U.S. immigration law and is dedicated to helping her clients obtain the best outcome."
"Top-notch attorney. I endorse this lawyer."
"Among all of her many positive attributes, of greatest importance (particularly in the field of immigration law), Attorney Gawelek is a compassionate advocate. She cares about her clients and their families immensely. Her passion for helping people through very difficult situations is directly reflected in her work ethic. She doesn't just care about getting the job done, she cares about its overall impact on the people that she represents. I highly recommend Ms. Gawelek's services. I endorse this lawyer."
"Competent, professional, and all around a great attorney. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Melissa is a young lawyer with a bright future. She is dedicated not only to her clients, but to continually learning about the law. She takes the time to research issues fully and also to talk to her clients. She is a rising star whom I would not hesitate to refer immigration cases to."
"I am Director of the Cleveland-Marshall Solo Practice Incubator, where Melissa is a lawyer tenant. I cannot say enough good things about this wonderful lawyer. She is deeply devoted to her clients and pursues immigration and domestic law as avocations to help those in need. She is super-smart and is constantly at work honing her substantive legal prowess."
"Melissa is a compassionate advocate who works hard to ensure the best possible outcome for her clients. She works on diverse matters from immigration to criminal defense to divorce. If you face a legal challenge, I encourage you to contact her."
Donald Gallick
Criminal defense lawyer
Eric Cherry
Criminal defense lawyer
Matthew Williams
Criminal defense lawyer
Ashley Jones
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Honors
2013
Pro Bono Service Award, Cleveland Marshall College of Law
Work Experience
2014 - Present
Attorney, Melissa Gawelek, Attorney at Law
2016 - 2019
Manager of Legal Services, Asian Services In Action Inc.
2015 - 2016
Immigration Attorney, The International Institute of Akron
Associations
2016 - Present
Cleveland-Marshall Law Alumni AssociationMember
2015 - Present
Akron Bar AssociationMember
2014 - Present
West Shore Bar AssociationMember
2013 - Present
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar AssociationMember
2012 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers AssociationMember
2016 - 2017
Cleveland-Marshall Law Alumni AssociationBoard Member
Education
2013
Cleveland State University - Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2010
Regent University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2019
Stories From The Border
Immigration Law
2017
Cleveland-Marshall Law Alumni Association
Immigration 2017 What You Need To Know
2017
Akron Bar Association
Current and Recent Future Immigration Issues For The Juvenile Court Practitioner
2016
American Immigration Lawyers Association (Ohio chapter)
US CIS Update
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Based on your recent experience, will Cleveland OH office conduct combo interview for N400 if I751 is still pending?
12 Aug 2020
Q&A
Why would my immigration master hearing get moved from 2/21 to 9/20
10 Aug 2020
Q&A
How long it takes to get the oath ceremony notice after the interview ?
15 Feb 2020