Melissa Ballou Kates

Melissa Ballou Kates

5.0
Rating: 9.0

Licensed for 23 years

Business Lawyer at Fort Worth, TX
Practice Areas: Business, Litigation, Real Estate

1008 Macon St Ste 101, Fort Worth, TX

About Melissa

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Business 40%

11 years

40%
Litigation 40%

11 years

40%
Real Estate 20%

11 years

20%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Texas for 23 years

State: Texas

Acquired: 2002

Eligible to Practice in Texas

No misconduct found

Location

Underwood Law

1008 Macon St Ste 101, Fort Worth, TX, 76102-4528

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Melissa Ballou Kates's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

4 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (4) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Star rating
5 stars 4
4 stars 0
3 stars 0
2 stars 0
1 star 0
Practice Areas

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | Litigation

Posted by Mike | June 12, 2015 | Litigation

Insurance Litigation

Very professional and informative. Described the process and managed my expectations. Kept me informed. Made me comfortable with deposition. Negotiated professionally and at the same time kept me in the loop with regard to what to expect. Very happy with the results and would recommend her highly....

Posted by anonymous | January 07, 2015 | Litigation

president broben inc

Melissa represented me in a litigation with my partner and she was amazing. very professional and smart. I would refer her to anybody. She is very level headed and honest.

See All Client Reviews

Melissa Ballou Kates's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Melissa
Zheila Seyedin Bazleh headshot
Zheila Bazleh

Litigation lawyer | Jan 08

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have referred several of my clients to Melissa regarding employment and litigation matters. She is extremely sharp, professional and honestly cares for her clients."

Cara Doak Kennemer headshot
Cara Kennemer

Business lawyer | Jan 07

Relationship: Co-worker

"Melissa is a well respected and dedicated attorney who truly cares about her clients. Her knowledge and expertise place her ahead of other lawyers. She's highly motivated and works very hard. I am happy to recommend and endorse her."

Terry Louise Traveland headshot
Terry Traveland

Employment and labor lawyer | Jan 06

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Melissa is an excellent attorney. She is very sharp and knowledgeable. I have enjoyed working with her on several matters and have been very impressed by her skills and expertise. I highly recommend Melissa!"

View All Endorsements
Rachel Lorraine Wright headshot
Rachel Wright

Estate planning lawyer

Zheila Seyedin Bazleh headshot
Zheila Bazleh

Real estate lawyer

Terry Louise Traveland headshot
Terry Traveland

Business lawyer

Cara Doak Kennemer headshot
Cara Kennemer

Construction and development lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.0 (Superb)

Honors

2014

Top Attorney in Tarrant County, Fort Worth, Texas Magazine

2013

"40 Under 40", Fort Worth Business Press

Work Experience

2013 - Present

Shareholder, Underwood Law Firm

2002 - 2013

Partner, Shannon, Gracey, Ratliff & Miller, LLP

1998 - 1999

Legislative Aide, Speaker James E. "Pete" Laney, Texas House of Representatives

Associations

2014 - Present

Texas Bar Foundation

Fellow

2014 - Present

State Bar of Texas, Local Bar Services Committee

Member

2004 - Present

College of the State Bar of Texas

Pro Bono College

2002 - Present

Tarrant County Bar Association

Member

2002 - Present

State Bar of Texas

Member

2013 - 2013

Tarrant County Bar Construction Section

Chair

2013 - 2014

State Bar of Texas Leadership Class

2012 - 2012

Tarrant County Bar Construction Section

Secretary

Education

2002

Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1999

Texas A&M University

B.B.A

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