Melvin O. Shaw

PRO

Melvin O. Shaw

4.8
114 reviews
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
Rating: 9.3

Licensed for 19 years

Real estate Lawyer at Coralville, IA
Practice Areas: Real Estate, Wills & Living Wills, Business ... +2 more

1303 5th Street, Suite 104, Coralville, IA

Virtual Consultation Available

About Melvin

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Business 20%

Limited liability company (LLC) and corporation formation, governance, buy-sell agreements, and asset purchases succession planning, homeowner association representation, commercial real estate sales and leasing, owner investments

19 years

20%
Estate Planning 20%

Draft last will and testaments for clients, advise on gifts and other transfers of personal and real property, draft trusts, work with clients' tax specialists, advisors and other professionals.

19 years

20%
Probate 20%

Represent small and large estates with transfers of property during probate administration, handle claims and litigation in probate, prepare fiduciary and other tax returns of the decedent. Advise the executor/personal representative. Represent beneficiaries when not serving as attorney for the estate.

19 years

20%
Real Estate 20%

Assist first-time and repeat home buyers with bank-financed, and for sale by owner (FSBO) & real estate agent assisted purchases/sales. Handle commercial real estate transactions, conduct closings, prepare deeds and handle other transfers of residential real estate and farm land.

19 years

20%
Wills and Living Wills 20%

Draft simple and complex wills, prepare testamentary trusts for clients with a minor child(ren) and pour over wills. Prepare amendments (codicils) to wills. Advise and prepare living wills (Do Not Resuscitate) provision, and all forms of powers of attorney

19 years

20%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Licenses

Licensed in Iowa for 19 years

State: Iowa

Acquired: 2006

Active

No misconduct found

Location

The Law Office of Melvin O. Shaw P.L.C.

1303 5th Street, Suite 104, Coralville, IA, 52241

melvinshaw.com/

Online Presence

Other places you can find Melvin online.

Melvin O. Shaw's Reviews

Showing 61 - 65 of 88 reviews

Posted by anonymous | March 01, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning

Wills

We had the good fortune of meeting Mel and were at a time in our lives where we needed to put our affairs in order. After thinking on our future plan for our assets and children, we asked Mel to pull it all together for us. He came back quickly and precisely based on what we needed to have done. A...ctually we were a little embarrassed because he had to wait on us on more than one occasion since our schedules couldn't allow for us both to be present for the signing. However it was completed and we are very pleased with having chosen Mel to finalize this long overdue but much needed task. We will definitely be using him again in the future should we need any more work done.

Posted by Megan | February 07, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Wills & Living Wills

POAs and wills

My husband and I hired Melvin to prepare our POAs and wills. Melvin is very easy to work with and a very pleasant person! For two people not familiar with this process, he explained things very well (in a way we could understand) and answered all questions. Melvin was easy to contact by phone or emai...l and always responded in a timely manner. He was also flexible for appointments and very accommodating! We had to bring our newborn daughter to one of the appointments. We would highly recommend Melvin to anyone that needs preparation of a POA and/or will.

Posted by anonymous | May 17, 2017 | Real Estate

Personable and smart!

Mel gave me great legal advice. He was reasonable with the fees and really reassured me of what my options were and the benefits and reprocussions of my decision. I would suggest anyone with real estate issues to consult Melvin Shaw!

Posted by Bruce | May 09, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning

Melvin is simply an Awesome & Amazing lawyer

From the consultation to the signing of documents Melvin was very easy to talk with and made me feel comfortable during the planning of my end-of life wishes and estate. I never thought I would be so emotional during this process and Melvin calmness and patience with me was remarkable. It seems lik...e I asked 1001 questions and he answered them all without ever once seeming frustrated. What I like most is his responsiveness to my questions and his compassion for what he does. He's not your typical lawyer he has a great sense of humor and was delightful to work with. His prices were very reasonable and there were no surprise cost. I have recommended Melvin to family and friends and I would recommend him to all. Melvin really is an Awesome & Amazing person and lawyer

Posted by Brittney | May 03, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Power Of Attorney

Power of Attorney & Wills

We retained Mr. Shaw as our lawyer to draw up Power of Attorney documents and wills for my fiancé and I. Mr. Shaw was very professional, friendly and patient during the entire process. He answered all of our questions and interpreted all wording in a way in which we could understand. And gave great a...dvice throughout the process. What could have been a very painful and confusing process was quick and easy! I definitely recommend!

See All Client Reviews

Melvin O. Shaw's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Melvin
L. Craig Nierman headshot
L. Craig Nierman

Probate lawyer | Aug 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I recently had the opportunity to work with Melvin on a case; his insights and knowledge were very valuable. Additionally, he is a very engaging and approachable person. I look forward to working with him again."

View All Endorsements
L. Craig Nierman headshot
L. Craig Nierman

Personal injury lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.3 (Superb)

Honors

2009

Distinguished Black Alumni Award, University of Iowa College of Law

Work Experience

2004 - 2004

Legal Intern, U.S. Attorneys Office Cedar Rapids

2004 - 2004

Intern, University of Iowa Office of the General Counsel

1998 - 2002

Writer and Public Relations Practitioner, University of Iowa Office of Public Relations

Associations

2014 - Present

Systems Unlimited, Inc.

Board Member

2014 - Present

Charter Review Commission, City of Iowa City, Iowa

Member

2012 - Present

The Housing Fellowship

Board of Trustees

2006 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

2006 - Present

Iowa State Bar Association

Member Sections Business, Probate & Real Estate

2001 - Present

Bethel A.M.E. Church

Steward

2017 - 2018

Johnson County Bar Association

President

2016 - 2017

Johnson County Bar Association

Vice President

2015 - 2016

Johnson County Bar Association

Treasurer

2013 - 2014

Johnson County Bar Association

Secretary

Education

2004

University of Iowa College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1997

University of Iowa

MA - Masters

1994

University of Missouri

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2014

Estate Planning Seminar

Probate

2009

National Business Institute Estate Planning Basics

2009

National Business Institute Probate Process from Start to Finish

2008

National Business Institute Probate Process from Start to Finish

2007

National Business Institute

Probate

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution