$ 150-225 per hour
also known as Melissa Decker, Melissa L. Decker
START FRESH. Getting capable legal help is the first step. Law for Locals, LLC helps clients resolve legal disputes efficiently and affordably.
Attorney Melissa Decker and Law for Locals, LLC understand the challenges and joys of Western Slope living. Attorney Decker's personal experience helps her bring a unique level of compassion to her clients' cases, whether they involve divorcing with dignity, resolving sticky parenting-related issues, starting/managing your own business, making sure your will and powers of attorney are up-to-date, or addressing sky-high medical and other consumer debts so often out-of-step with modest local wages. Attorney Decker is third-generation lawyer with a top-flight education who prides herself on making sure her clients understand the law and how it applies to them.
Law for Locals, LLC specializes in bankruptcy, business law, divorce, family law (including child support, parenting time and all APR-related matters), criminal defense, trusts & estates, and wills. Attorney Decker is a contract mediator with Colorado's Office of Dispute Resolution (ODR) for court-ordered mediations in the 21st Judicial District and Mesa County courts.
5
Practice Areas
$ 150-225 per hour
Sometimes
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Chat withState: Colorado
Acquired: 1997
No misconduct found
291 Main Street, 2nd Floor, PO Box 504, Minturn, CO, 81645-0504
Showing 1 - 5 of 10 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | July 24, 2025 | Hired Attorney
I was extremely disappointed with Melissa Decker’s handling of our family case. She failed to investigate key concerns thoroughly and did not demonstrate a commitment to prioritizing my child’s best interests. Communication throughout the process was limited, and her final report was highly subjecti...
Posted by anonymous | November 19, 2024 | Hired Attorney
She was hired as cfi and her finding were those with parental alienation which is child abuse, she did nothing to protect the children. Very unprofessional with no mental health regards to children being left in an abusive home. Truly disappointing considering she has children of her own.
Posted by anonymous | July 14, 2024 | Hired Attorney
If you have ever hoped to find a person looking to protect your children and your safety I hope that you search elsewhere.
Posted by Irene | April 17, 2019 | Hired Attorney
Melissa Decker handled my bankruptcy case so professionally. Her attention to detail and personal caring through the whole process made me feel at ease. I could not have had a better lawyer.
Posted by Kim | October 17, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Melissa handled our bankruptcy...she was wonderful! She had a clear set price and was personal and extremely helpful and hands on throughout. She is experienced and knows well all aspects of your case, is very thorough and follows up after everything with phone calls, emails and written communicati...
"I endorse Melissa Decker. I have worked with Melissa for several years now. She is knowledgable, honest and has a reasonable pricing structure for her clients."
Criminal defense lawyer
1997
Harold Taft King Scholarship, University of Colorado Law School
1996
Isaacson, Rosenbaum, Woods & Levy, P.C. Scholarship, University of Colorado Law School
1996
Articles Editor of the Law Review, University of Colorado Law School
1993
Departmental Graduate Fellowship, Stanford University
1991
Distinction in the Major, Yale University
2010 - Present
Owner, Attorney & Mediator, Law for Locals, LLC
2004 - 2010
Executive Director, Vail Valley Institute
2001 - 2003
Staff Attorney, Public Land & Water Issues, Land & Water Fund of the Rockies (now Western Resource Advocates)
1998 - 1999
Law Clerk for Justice Nancy Rice, Colorado Supreme Court
2016 - Present
Vail Valley Business WomenVice-President
2015 - Present
Mountain Chapter of the Colorado Women's Bar AssociationBoard Member
1997 - Present
Colorado Bar AssociationMember: JD5 (CDBA), JD9 & Mesa Bar Assocs.
2013 - 2016
Continental Divide Bar AssociationChair, Access to Justice Committee for the 5th Judicial District
2007
Certified Mediator
1997
JD - Juris Doctor
1994
MA - Masters
1991
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2015
Pro bono advice for divorcing couples & parents
1993
1993
Spanish
English