$ 200-300 per hour
PRO
also known as Melissa Graham-Hurd & Associates
Virtual Consultation Available
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.
6
Practice Areas
43 years
43 years
43 years
43 years
$ 200-300 per hour
State: Ohio
Acquired: 1984
No misconduct found
Fax
4030 Massillon Road, Suite B, Green, OH, 44685
grahamhurdlaw.com
Other places you can find Melissa online.
105 Client Reviews
Showing 31 - 35 of 40 reviews | Advocacy
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...
Thank 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 Cecilia | September 25, 2020 | Hired Attorney
Excellent, Competent, Thorough, and Compassionate Lawyer
I live out of state and found Attorney Graham-Hurd on the AVVO website. From the very first consultation with her, I knew I had connected with the right lawyer to represent me on my divorce. I had a complicated divorce that lasted a few years and in addition, was the complexities of having to navigat...
Thank you so much for this incredibly thorough and generous review — and for finding us through AVVO! Knowing that your very first consultation gave you the confidence that you had found the right representation is exactly the experience we strive to create for every client from the very start. Navigating a complex, multi-year divorce from out of state presents a unique set of challenges that require an especially high level of strategy, preparation, and consistent communication — and we are so glad that every one of those elements came through clearly for you. Transparency, thoroughness, and always being one step ahead are standards we never compromise on, regardless of how complicated a case may become. Knowing that you walked away with the best possible outcome and nothing negative to say is the highest compliment we could ever receive. It was truly our honor to represent you. Thank you for your patience through a long process, for your trust, and for taking the time to share your experience in such wonderful detail. We wish you all the very best in this next chapter and would be honored to represent you again should you ever need us!
Posted by Kara | August 28, 2020 | Hired Attorney
The BEST!
I can’t thank your team enough for your help. Everyone at your office is friendly & professional. Erin & Melissa were thorough, knowledgeable & set realistic expectations. They were not afraid to fight for me, but we were able to settle out of court with a better result than I expected thanks to thei...
Thank you so much for this wonderful review — "The BEST" is a title we are incredibly proud of and will always work hard to live up to! Knowing that our team was able to fight fiercely on your behalf while also having the skill and judgment to negotiate a better-than-expected outcome out of court is exactly the balance we strive to strike for every client. Sometimes the best result doesn't require a courtroom — it requires the right strategy, preparation, and tenacity at the negotiating table. That is straight talk with compassion delivering real results. Setting realistic expectations while still exceeding them is something our entire team takes tremendous pride in, and knowing you walked away pleasantly surprised by the outcome means everything to us. Thank you for your trust, your kind words, and your loyalty. We will absolutely be here for you whenever you 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...
Thank 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 Richard | October 17, 2019 | Hired Attorney
Highly Recommended
My divorce was very stressful and while I wanted it to be over quickly, that was not the case. Sometimes things are beyond your control, but I could not have made it through without Melissa and her team. They are very personable as well as knowledgable. They were very helpful explaining every step of...
Thank you so much for this heartfelt review and for your honesty in sharing what was clearly a very difficult and draining experience. We want you to know first — there is no such thing as a dumb question here. Every question our clients ask matters, and making sure you understood every step of the process was our privilege, not a burden. Sometimes the most important thing a legal team can do is stand up for their client when the client finds it hardest to stand up for themselves — and that is a responsibility our team takes to heart on every single case. You deserved someone firmly in your corner, and we are so glad we could be that for you. Thank you for your patience through a process that took longer than any of us wanted, and for your trust and gratitude. We wish you all the very best ahead and are always here whenever you need us!
"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."
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
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Family Law Inclusion, Super Lawyers
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Melissa Graham-Hurd, Ohio Super Lawyers
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Melissa Graham-Hurd, Ohio Super Lawyers
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Melissa Graham-Hurd, Ohio Super Lawyers
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Inclusion in Family Law, Ohio Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super lawyers Magazine
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Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
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Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
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Inclusion in Listings Family Law, Ohio Super Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyers, Ohio Super Lawyers
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Melissa Graham-Hurd, Ohio Super Lawyers
2011
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014 - Present
Managing Partner, Melissa Graham-Hurd & Associates, LLC
1984 - Present
Attorney, Melissa Graham-Hurd, Esq.
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
1983
JD - Juris Doctor
1980
Bachelor of Arts
1980
Bachelor of Arts
2017
Shared Parenting Plans
2013
National Trends in Spousal support
2013
Spousal Support modification
2012
Real Estate Separate and Marital Property
2012
Gender Fairness
2009
Caselaw Update
2006
Ohio Spousal Support Law
2005
Ohio Family Law Legislation
2019
2010
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