$ 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
105 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (105)
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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 31 - 33 of 33 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Jim | June 03, 2019 | Hired Attorney
Responsive and proactive
I was faced with litigating in two states and spent hours on the internet trying to find representation in Summit County. I chose Graham-Hurd because of their specialization, experience, and familiarity with the courts. I never second guessed that choice. Of all the attorneys involved on both sides t...
Melissa Graham-Hurd
Replied last September 22, 2026Thank you so much for this incredibly meaningful review and for the extensive research you put into finding the right representation for such a complex situation. Being chosen based on our specialization, experience, and familiarity with Summit County's courts is exactly the reputation we work hard every day to earn and maintain — and knowing you never second-guessed that choice means everything to us. Litigating across two states presents a unique and demanding set of challenges, and navigating that landscape while remaining the most responsive and proactive team at the table is something our entire firm takes tremendous pride in. Staying ahead of the process and always pushing toward resolution is simply how we operate. Thank you for your trust, your confidence in our team, and for sharing your experience. We wish you all the very best ahead and are always here should 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
Family Law Inclusion, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Melissa Graham-Hurd, Ohio Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Melissa Graham-Hurd, Ohio Super Lawyers
2021
Melissa Graham-Hurd, Ohio Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Inclusion in Family Law, Ohio 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
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2013
Inclusion in Listings Family Law, Ohio Super Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyers, Ohio Super Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011
Melissa Graham-Hurd, Ohio Super Lawyers
2011
Super Lawyer, 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
Annual Rosen Seminar
National Trends in Spousal support
2013
Family Law
Spousal Support modification
2012
Seminar for Family Relations Specialists
Real Estate Separate and Marital Property
2012
Women in Law
Gender Fairness
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
Can my ex deny visitation if I’m not paying child support? How can I make sure I get visitation?
03 Nov 2021
Q&A
How much would it cost to get a emancipation lawyer
26 Sep 2021
Q&A
Child support for disabled child, when does it end?
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