$ 200-300 per hour
PRO
Melissa Ann Graham-Hurd
also known as Melissa Graham-Hurd & Associates
Virtual Consultation Available
About Melissa
Biography
Our practice centers on representing people in domestic relations matters, for issues such as termination of marriage by divorce or dissolution, child support, spousal support, allocation of parental rights and responsibilities (custody) and parenting time (visitation), including matters for people who have never married but have children and property together. We serve grandparents and other relatives seeking legal custody or visitation. We also provide planning services for people who need antenuptial (premarital) or cohabitation agreements, powers of attorney for health care, partnership agreements, wills and other estate-planning documents.
I did practice law as a solo attorney for 30 years, and started a lawfirm in 2014, all in Akron, Ohio. We serve clients in "real people" life situations, seeking to make bad situations a little better for them. Family law practice can be draining and demanding work (which sometimes makes me rethink that whole life plan thing, but sometimes a client will write something very uplifting and affirming as this one recently did: <<Thank you for all your help, but primarily for your willingness to listen, that meant so much to me.>> That will keep me going for a while now. Smile), but also can be rewarding in knowing that we helped someone through a bad situation, even by a little.
Our clients have also contributed very rewarding reviews on , and we are grateful to have been given an opportunity to serve them.
We moved our office to the City of Green mid-May 2018, and serve people in Summit and Stark County, Ohio courts.
Guiding clients with straight talk and compassion through troubled times.
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
Divorce and Separation
30%
43 years
Family
30%
43 years
Child Custody
15%
43 years
Child Support
15%
43 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Licenses
Licensed in Ohio for 42 years
State: Ohio
Acquired: 1984
No misconduct found
Location
Melissa Graham-Hurd & Associates, LLC
(330) 643-0732
Fax
4030 Massillon Road, Suite B, Green, OH, 44685
grahamhurdlaw.comGallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Melissa online.
Melissa Ann Graham-Hurd's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
106 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (106)
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Advocacy (40)
Case Results (36)
Recommendation (34)
Practice Area Knowledge (33)
Responsiveness (24)
Professionalism (22)
General Knowledge (15)
Staff & Support (15)
Communication Style (14)
Compassion (12)
Character & Conduct (10)
Cost of Services (8)
Trustworthiness (7)
Punctuality (3)
Payment Plans (1)
Showing 16 - 20 of 20 reviews | Child Custody
Posted by John | October 30, 2020 | Hired Attorney
50/50 Custody case
I worked mostly with Erin; she was able to help me (the father) get 50/50 custody of my two girls. They work very hard for father rights and are easy to get ahold of when questions arise.
Melissa Graham-Hurd
Replied last September 22, 2026Thank you so much for this wonderful review — and congratulations on your 50/50 custody arrangement! Having equal time with your two girls is exactly the kind of outcome our team fights hard to achieve, and knowing that fathers' rights were fully represented and protected throughout your case means the world to us. Every parent deserves a fair shot at being present in their children's lives, and we take that responsibility seriously on every case we handle. Knowing you always felt supported and could easily reach us with questions is exactly the experience we strive to deliver. Thank you for your trust and for sharing your experience. We wish you and your girls all the very best — enjoy every moment together! We are always here if you ever need us again.
Posted by Sue | October 04, 2020 | Hired Attorney
Grandparent
I found Melissa by looking online for attorneys that specialized in family law. I am a grandparent and very close to my grandchildren, but was not getting to see my grandchildren due to a rather messy divorce between my son and former daughter-in-law. Melissa and Erin helped represent me prior to and...
Melissa Graham-Hurd
Replied last September 22, 2026Thank you so much for sharing your experience and for trusting us to make sure your voice — and your bond with your grandchildren — was heard and protected throughout such a difficult process. Grandparents play an irreplaceable role in their grandchildren's lives, and ensuring that relationship is not lost in the midst of a messy divorce is something our team takes very seriously. Knowing that you always felt kept in the loop with timely updates and immediate access to court documents is exactly the standard of communication we hold ourselves to for every client we serve. No one should ever feel like an afterthought in their own case. We are also glad to hear that the collaborative approach with your son's attorney was a positive experience — working professionally and respectfully across the aisle, when it serves our clients' best interests, is something we always strive for. Thank you for finding us and for the kind words about our team. We wish you, your son, and most importantly your grandchildren all the very best — and we hope you are enjoying plenty of time together! We are always here if you ever need us again.
Posted by anonymous | August 11, 2020 | Hired Attorney
Custody
I will never be able to thank Melissa and Erin enough for their kindness, professionalism, and dedication to my case. It was a very long 2.5 year battle, but the outcome was more than I could have ever hoped for. They have always responded to emails very quickly. I was amazed at the fact that they re...
Melissa Graham-Hurd
Replied last September 22, 2026Thank you so much for this beautifully heartfelt review and for your incredible patience and perseverance through what we know was a long and emotionally taxing 2.5 years. Cases like yours remind us every single day why we fight as hard as we do — and knowing that the outcome exceeded even your own hopes makes every moment of that dedication absolutely worth it. Knowing every detail of a client's case — even the ones they themselves may have difficulty recalling — is something our team considers not just a professional standard but a personal commitment. When a child's future is at stake, nothing is too small to matter. Being honest about what is truly in our clients' best interest, even when it is difficult to hear, while never wavering in our advocacy for them and their children — that is straight talk with compassion at its very core. Thank you for your trust over such a long journey and for the generous recommendation. We wish you and your child all the love, peace, and stability you both so deserve in this bright new chapter ahead. We are always here if you ever need us again.
Posted by Brandon | November 02, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Great Attorney - Highly Recommended
Melissa Graham-Hurd is an exceptional lawyer. She represented me in a child custody case. She is very knowledgeable regarding law and the Summit county court system. I found her to be a compassionate, no nonsense advocate who is down to earth. She fights for what you want as well as advises to what i...
Melissa Graham-Hurd
Replied last September 22, 2026Thank you so much for this exceptional review and for your continued recommendations over the years — that kind of lasting confidence in our firm means the absolute world to us! Compassionate, no-nonsense, down to earth, and always fighting for what is truly in our clients' best interest — you just described everything we stand for in one beautifully concise review. That is straight talk with compassion in its purest form, and knowing it came through so clearly in your custody case is something our entire team is deeply proud of. Knowing the Summit County court system inside and out and showing up fully prepared and professional every single time are standards we never waver on — because our clients deserve nothing less. Thank you for your trust, your loyalty, and for continuing to send people our way. We will always be here for you and for anyone you refer to us!
Posted by Scottie Graef | August 13, 2012
Incredibly helpful, caring, and patient; The best!
There aren't enough words to express my gratitude towards Melissa. She is brilliant, patient, caring, persistent, and so much more. Melissa truly cares for her clients and understands the situations people encounter. Melissa truly does what's best for children and fights hard for fairness. Meliss...
Melissa Graham-Hurd
Replied last September 22, 2026Thank you so much for these incredibly generous and heartfelt words — we are truly touched! Reviews like this one remind us every single day why we chose this work and why we pour everything we have into it. Brilliant, patient, caring, persistent — those are words our entire team strives to live up to for every client we serve, and knowing they resonated so deeply through your experience means the absolute world to us. When children are at the center of a case, the stakes could not be higher, and fighting hard for fairness and for what is truly best for them is a commitment we never waver on. Thank you for your trust, your gratitude, and for such an enthusiastic recommendation. It is clients like you that make every challenge worth it. We wish you and your children all the love, stability, and happiness you deserve — and we will always be here whenever you need us!
Melissa Ann Graham-Hurd's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Melissa is an excellent attorney that is well-respected in the legal community."
"Melissa is a great lawyer that works hard for her clients!"
"Melissa Ann Graham-Hurd works in an area of law that most attorneys despise because it is so demanding. I have seen how she patiently explains the law in a clear and practical manner to help persons involved in a emotional situation regain their balance. I am honored to endorse her."
"I endorse this lawyer. Melissa and I have served on several committes at the Ohio State Bar Association for many years. She is bright, articulate and cutting-edge knowledgeable in domestic relations matters."
"I endorse this lawyer. I do not personally handle family law cases and have referred clients to Melissa based upon the reputation she has developed in the legal community. Melissa has a reputation for being knowledgeable, hardworking, sensitive, and reasonable. But she is tough when she needs to be. She fights hard for the best interests of her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Melissa Graham-Hurd for many years and have had numerous cases with her as my courtroom adversary. Melissa is competent, honest and professional. I would recommend her to anyone without hesitation."
"I endorse this lawyer."
Denise Houston
Family lawyer
Todd Kotler
Family lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Family Law Inclusion, Super Lawyers
2023
Melissa Graham-Hurd, Ohio Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Melissa Graham-Hurd, Ohio Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Melissa Graham-Hurd, Ohio Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Inclusion in Family Law, Ohio Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super lawyers Magazine
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2013
Inclusion in Listings Family Law, Ohio Super Lawyers
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyers, Ohio Super Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011
Melissa Graham-Hurd, Ohio Super Lawyers
Work Experience
2014 - Present
Managing Partner, Melissa Graham-Hurd & Associates, LLC
1984 - Present
Attorney, Melissa Graham-Hurd, Esq.
Associations
2013 - Present
Akron Bar FoundationMember
2009 - Present
Ohio Women's Bar AssociationMember
2009 - Present
Stark County Bar AssociationMember
2003 - Present
Ohio State Bar FoundationMember
1984 - Present
Akron Bar AssociationMember
1984 - Present
Ohio State Bar AssociationMember
2010 - 2013
Ohio State Bar AssociationBoard of Governors
2002 - 2004
Ohio State Bar AssociationChair - Family Law Committee
1993 - 1994
Akron Bar Association, Family Law SectionChair
Education
1983
University of Akron School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1980
University of Akron
Bachelor of Arts
1980
University of Akron
Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2017
Family Law
Shared Parenting Plans
2013
Family Law
Spousal Support modification
2013
Annual Rosen Seminar
National Trends in Spousal support
2012
Women in Law
Gender Fairness
2012
Seminar for Family Relations Specialists
Real Estate Separate and Marital Property
2009
Bernard Rosen Seminar
Caselaw Update
2006
Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers
Ohio Spousal Support Law
2005
Family Law Section
Ohio Family Law Legislation
Publications
2019
Sowald Morganstern Domestic Relations Law, Baldwin’s Ohio Practice Series, West Group
Chapter 29 - Government Retirement Benefits
2010
Domestic Relations Journal of Ohio
Social Networking Websites
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
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03 Nov 2021
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26 Sep 2021
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28 Sep 2021
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
Truthfulness in Affidavits is a MUST!
20 Oct 2011
Legal Guide
Widespread Fallacies about Divorce
02 Mar 2011
Legal Guide
Vocabulary List for Divorce and Domestic Relations Cases in Ohio
14 Feb 2011