$ 350-500 per hour
About Melissa
Biography
Leading the firm's Family Law Practice, Melissa represents families and individuals in all types of domestic relations and disputes. She is a dedicated advocate, providing compassionate and concierge-style service to resolve her client’s most personal disputes. Melissa also brings over 17 years of experience working in Arizona’s criminal justice system as a victim advocate, probation officer, and sex crimes and domestic violence prosecutor. This courtroom experience and her mediation training enable Melissa to present the best case for her clients, often resolving disputes before trial.
Melissa's experience includes divorce, custody, property division, alimony, modification of orders, and beyond, including more serious issues like orders of protection. Just as every family is unique, so is each family's legal case. Melissa understands the complexities and sensitives of family law and thus tailors her services and legal strategy to each client's unique needs.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in New York for 8 years
State: New York
Acquired: 2017
No misconduct found
Licensed in Arizona for 10 years
State: Arizona
Acquired: 2015
No misconduct found
Location
Gallagher & Kennedy
2575 E Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85016
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Melissa Faye Benson's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
47 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (47)
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 5 of 9 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by anonymous | August 23, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Family
At peace with Melissa as my attorney
Melissa is beyond compassionate and extremely knowledgeable on family law ensuring my son is advocated for and protected. I went many years without the right representative and the consequences are difficult but Melissa is helping to correct much needed issues to resolve my case and finally bring me...
Posted by Heather | August 22, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Knowledgeable, professional, and fierce advocate
I came to Melissa while in a desperate situation needing to protect my children. Melissa's history as a sex offender prosecutor and victim's advocate make her skill set and expertise unique and extremely valuable. Her proactive approach saved me and my children from having to face court and from incu...
Posted by anonymous | July 15, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Highly Intelligent and Strategic Family Law Attorney
I recently had the privilege of being represented by Melissa in my divorce case, and I am exceedingly pleased with the outcome. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, Melissa demonstrated unparalleled intelligence, strategic acumen, and legal expertise. Melissa's profound understan...
Posted by Natalie | July 09, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Knowledgeable and amazing!
Melissa was able to help me navigate a very difficult case. This is a case I definitely would not have made it through on my own, or with a state appointed attorney. She was knowledgeable and attentive throughout the whole process. Melissa made sure to constantly update me and explain what was next i...
Posted by anonymous | April 16, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Family
Empathetic and strategic
I cannot thank Melissa enough for her dedication to my very complication case. If it wasn't for her listening ear and guidance, I wouldn't have been able to make it through. She was empathetic, handled my melt downs well, and gave me a look into family law and the justice system that I did not have b...
Melissa Faye Benson's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse attorney Melissa Benson, Melissa is an experienced litigator who works diligently for her clients. Melissa is conscientious and intelligent, she works hard, and she achieves great results for her clients."
"Melissa is an excellent attorney! She is very compassionate and works hard for her clients. Melissa has handled very complicated family law cases and knows her stuff! I would and have recommended Melissa to friends and family members."
"Melissa is very hard working, knows the law and will be aggressive when needed."
"I endorse this lawyer. Melissa is a dedicated advocate and a knowledgeable attorney. She gets excellent results for her clients."
"Ms. Benson is a fantastic family law attorney and an outstanding professional. I have referred many important clients over to Ms. Benson with diffiicult and challenging cases, and as i know would happen, she helped resolve the cases very favorably to the clients. Ms. Benson understands how to settle cases when the other side is being reasonable, and how to proceed to trial when necessary. I highly recommend this attorney to any person with a difficult family law case."
"Melissa is an expert family law attorney who goes above and beyond for her clients."
"Melissa’s her work ethic is outstanding. Melissa is always extremely well prepared and pays close attention to detail. As a very capable negotiator, Melissa has achieved many successful outcomes through formal and informal mediation. When a favorable settlement is not possible, Melissa’s litigation experience serves her well. Drawing on her background, experience, and focus on pretrial preparation, Melissa has a unique ability think on her feet in the courtroom. I would recommend this attorney to anyone needing representation in a family law dispute."
"Melissa is extremely knowledgeable in her field and great at communicating with her clients. She is compassionate, hardworking, and intelligent. She is a true professional and a strong advocate for her clients. I am proud to call her a colleague. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Melissa is extremely knowledgeable and truly cares about her clients."
"I am blessed to work with such a phenomenal attorney and litigator. Melissa is extremely passionate and dedicated in her craft, and works diligently in ensuring that she can obtain the best possible result for her clients."
"Melissa is an amazing attorney! Melissa has a diverse legal background, which has provided her with knowledge in areas that most family law attorneys simply do not have. Specifically, her in-court skills are second to none. She is a great mentor, advocate, and person. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have been a litigation attorney for over thirty years. Have had the pleasure of working with Melissa for 4 years. She is totally dedicated to our profession and has valuable experience and insight with respect to her family law matters. Her success rate is most impressive. We are happy to have her as a colleague."
Brandon Sander
State, local, and municipal law lawyer | Aug 31
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"Melissa is not only a great attorney, but also a great person. Melissa is smart, thorough, and dedicated to ensuring that her client's get what they deserve. Her ability to put her clients at ease is unparalleled. Melissa genuinely cares for her clients and their families and it shows. I endorse this lawyer."
"Hard working, diligent, intelligent, fierce... this is how I would describe Mrs. Smith-Benson to prospective clients, and more importantly opposing counsel. I endorse this lawyer."
Elizabeth Nañez
Family lawyer
Josefa Rodriguez
Family lawyer
Douglas Gardner
Family lawyer
Gregory Reinhart
Family lawyer
Brandon White
Criminal defense lawyer
Michael Girgenti
Family lawyer
Meridith Lord
Family lawyer
Edgard Espiritu
Family lawyer
Nidhi Naik Cerefice
Family lawyer
Diego Brito
Family lawyer
Kevin Whitacre
Family lawyer
Brandon Sander
Family lawyer
Howard Dworman
Personal injury lawyer
Cy Hainey
Family lawyer
Michael Albee
Family lawyer
Experience
Honors
2024
Top 25 National Women Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers
2024
Top 30 Matrimonial Trial Lawyers Association, The National Trial Lawyers
2010
Victim Advocate of the Year, Maricopa County Attorney's Office
Work Experience
2024 - Present
Shareholder, Gallagher & Kennedy, PA
2023 - 2024
Partner, Davis, Miles, McGuire, Gardner
2022 - 2023
Senior Associate, Davis Miles, PLLC
2019 - 2019
Associate, Never Again Foundation
2019 - 2022
Associate, Davis Miles, PLLC
2017 - 2019
Sex Crimes and DV Prosecutor, Rensellear County Attorney's Office
2015 - 2017
Associate, Phelps & Moore
Associations
2014 - Present
Arizona Thurgood Marshall American Inn of Court
2013 - Present
Arizona Women Lawyers Association (Maricopa chapter)
Sample of Legal Cases
Win for our Client!
Award of Spousal Maintenance and Attorneys' Fees
Education
N/A
Arizona Summit Law School
Speaking Engagements
2022
Women's Initiative
Productivity Panel
Publications
2014
Arizona Summit Law Review
Spousal Support: Domestic Violence Should Not Be Considered
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Do I have equal right to posses the vehicle my ex partner has in possession but is not paying, if I pay the owed amount?
19 Apr 2023
Q&A
What resources do inmates in jail have if being served for divorce?
20 Apr 2023
Q&A
Can two of the same petitions be filed?
21 Dec 2022