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Heather Ann Melone
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About Heather
Biography
Heather A. Melone is the Principal Attorney at Wellspring. She was born and raised in Southern California and graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) in 1997. After graduation, Heather spent three years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand, where she focused on education and community outreach programs. When she returned to San Diego in 2000, she stayed committed to serving others and entered the legal field, starting as a legal assistant at a prominent criminal defense firm and steadily advancing through the ranks. Heather earned her Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law in 2005 while working full time, and she passed the California Bar Exam on her first attempt in 2006. She then spent thirteen years practicing criminal defense, gaining substantial courtroom and trial advocacy experience. For the past several years, Heather has brought those skills to professional license defense, representing clients whose careers are on the line in licensing board investigations and disciplinary proceedings. She has helped many clients obtain or protect their licenses and is known for her determined advocacy and her commitment to helping good people through difficult circumstances.
At Wellspring Law we are committed to protecting your professional license and preserving your livelihood as if it were our own.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Administrative Law
95%
7 years
Criminal Defense
5%
12 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2026 2023 2014
...
+
1
Licenses
Licensed in California for 19 years
State: California
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Location
Online Presence
Other places you can find Heather online.
Heather Ann Melone's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
45 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (45)
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Case Results (28)
Advocacy (27)
Professionalism (19)
Recommendation (14)
Practice Area Knowledge (13)
Responsiveness (13)
Communication Style (12)
General Knowledge (12)
Character & Conduct (8)
Compassion (8)
Trustworthiness (7)
Cost of Services (6)
Staff & Support (3)
Punctuality (2)
Payment Plans (1)
Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | Licensing
Posted by Amanda | April 29, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Licensing
Teacher License Application Savior
I had a complicated licensing case where I was trying to transfer my license from another state to California and couldn't decide how to answer some of the professional fitness questions. I discussed my case with eight other attorneys who did not seem confident in taking on the case. Heather was the ...
Heather Melone
Replied last April 30, 2026Hi Amanda, Thank you so much for the glowing review! I didn't realize that you had spoken to so many other attorneys regarding your matter and I am so happy to know that I earned your trust. More importantly, I am so pleased to obtain the result we were hoping for! While licensing cases do take a long time to resolve (we are dealing with governmental agencies after all) we persevered and obtained the absolute best outcome we could have hoped for in your case - the issuance of unrestricted credentials! While I trust that you will never need my assistance again, please know that I am only a phone call away to assist you in any future legal matter. I'd love to hear from you again in the future and receive periodic updates. Take care and welcome to teaching in California! :)
Posted by anonymous | April 11, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Licensing
Professional License Protected
Heather's expertise and professionalism is stellar. If you find a need for stellar representation to protect and defend your professional license, Heather is who you need on your side. She was highly recommended by other lawyers and now by me. The thorough preemptive approach she uses resulted in su...
Posted by anonymous | February 09, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Licensing
Thank you Heather
Big shout out to Heather Melone! She is a tenacious and passionate lawyer who is an expert at dealing with professional licensing boards. She kept me updated and well informed through all proceedings. I felt at comfort knowing she was fighting for me to get the matter resolved, and she did. Very sati...
Heather Melone
Replied last March 13, 2024Thank you so much for the great review! I am very happy to hear that you were satisfied with my legal representation and the outcome of your matter. Although I hope that you never need my legal services again, I would welcome an opportunity to assist you again should the need arise! Thank you and take care! Sincerely, Heather
Posted by anonymous | December 23, 2023 | Licensing
Extremely helpful, informative, and empathetic
Heather answered my phone call the first time I called and she was extremely helpful. She listened and asked great questions to make sure she knew whether she could help me or not. I had spoke. With a licensing attorney in the past and they were the complete opposite of Heather in all the worst ways....
Posted by anonymous | May 15, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Licensing
Above & Beyond
Heather is truly a life-saver. I was dealing with an expired and forfeited license issue with my board that caused me to have to shut my practice down while I applied for reinstatement. Heather helped to walk me through the entire process and helped me to gather the necessary documents and present a ...
Heather Melone
Replied last May 18, 2023Thank you so much for the glowing review! I am so happy that I was able to assist you in your time of need! Your situation is exactly why I wanted to become a defense attorney - so that I could help good people through bad situations. Your case definitely fit that bill! I am so happy that the Board did what was right and just, and quickly reinstated your license. I hope that you will never find yourself in need of my services again but know that I am only a phone call away to assist you should the need arise! Take care and best of luck to you in all your personal and professional endeavors!
Heather Ann Melone's Lawyer Endorsements
"Heather is THE go to attorney in San Diego for all licensing related issues. She is responsive, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable. She has helped many clients accused of criminal misconduct retain their professional licenses, while also providing information to assist in the criminal process. I highly endorse Heather!"
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Heather for many years and we are on the board for the East County San Diego Bar Association. Heather is very dependable and if she says she's going to get something done she certainly does. I know she fights hard for her clients and does her best to get them great results."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Ms. Melone for a very long time and have had the pleasure of working with her on a number of criminal cases. I continue to be impressed with her work ethic and her untiring compassion for her clients are impressive."
"This attorney works very hard for the client and keeps up with the law by attending legal seminars to assist them in this regard. I endorse this attorney."
"Your resume speaks for itself and I consider you a valuable member of the attorney community. I would recommend you to anyone and everyone who needs your services. I whole heartedly endorse this lawyer!"
"Heather is not only a skilled attorney but she cares about each of her clients. She goes the extra mile to explain the procedure of a case to her clients so that they are comfortable when they enter the courtroom with her. I endorse Heather Melone."
"I highly endorse this lawyer's work. I have know Heather for over 10 years both personally and professionally. She is a hardworking, dedicated, criminal defense attorney. She is compassionate and cares deeply for her clients. She is well liked by all. I would not hesitate to recommend her."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Ms. Melone for many years now. I used to supervise her when we worked together for a large criminal defense firm. Ms. Melone was always prepared, thorough, and aggressive. More importantly, she goes over and beyond what most attorneys do in order to represent her client. She has the best attorney/client relationships that you could imagine. Ms. Melone has a huge heart, and it really shows in her representation of clients."
"It is with great pleasure I endorse my friend and former colleague, Heather Melone, in the field of criminal defense. Heather is a true "Freedom Fighter," as her license plate one stated. Her passion for her clients is extrememely apparent no matter what type of charges."
"I endorse this lawyer. I met this lawyer in law school. Knowing what I know now, I would have gone to law school just to meet Ms. Melone. She's a true advocate and amazing friend. Just who you want in your corner when life gets rough."
"Heather has always been an extremely hard working lawyer, and I have personally watched her defend many clients. For this reason, I endorse Heather Melone."
Logan Noblin
Criminal defense lawyer
Andrea Schneider
Family lawyer
Samantha Greene
Criminal defense lawyer
Alan Macina
Appeals lawyer
Experience
Honors
2026
Volunteer Attorney of the Year, East County San Diego Bar Association
2025
Women In Leadership Award, East County Chamber of Commerce
2025
Gold Winner - Best Attorney, Best of La Mesa Awards
2023
Client's Choice Award, AVVO
2014
Client Choice Award, AVVO
2013
Client Choice Award, AVVO
Work Experience
2021 - Present
Founder & Managing Attorney, Wellspring Law
2019 - 2021
Senior Associate Attorney, MURPHY JONES APC
2008 - 2019
Managing Attorney, Law Office of Heather A. Melone
2006 - 2008
Attorney, Steigerwalt & Associates
2005 - 2005
Certified Intern, San Diego Public Defender's Office
2000 - 2005
Legal Assistant & Law Clerk, Steigerwalt & Associates
Associations
2026 - Present
San Diego County Bar AssociationEast County Regional Representative
2024 - Present
San Diego Defense Lawyers AssociationMember
2020 - Present
California Association of Attorneys in the Healthcare ProfessionMember
2014 - Present
National Association Of Women Business Owners
2006 - Present
State Bar of California
Criminal Defense Bar Association of San Diego
California Attorneys for Criminal Justice
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
2025 - 2026
East County San Diego Bar AssociationImmediate Past President
2024 - 2025
East County San Diego Bar AssociationPresident
2018 - 2026
East County San Diego Bar AssociationDirector
Sample of Legal Cases
Kidnapping & Sexual Assault
Case Dismissed
PC 211 - Robbery
Dismisssed on 995 motion
PC 245 - Assault w/ a Deadly Weapon
Case Dismissed on Day of Trial
PC 243(e)(1) - Domestic Violence
Case Dismissed on Day of Trial
PC 261(A)(2) - Rape by Force
Case Dismissed prior to Preliminary Hearing
PC 288 - Lewd Conduct on a Minor Under 14 Years
Case Dismissed
HS 11377(a) - Possession of a Controlled Substance
Case Dismissed
BRN Case - Vehicular Manslaughter Conviction
Probation
CTC - Third DUI Conviction Case
Probation
BRN - DUI Conviction with high BAC, accident & Hit and Run
Letter of Public Reproval
BRN - DUI conviction with high BAC and accident
Letter of Public Reproval
MBC - Domestic Violence Investigation
Investigation Closed Without Discipline
Board of Behavioral Sciences - Investigation into Misleading Advertising and Unlicensed Practice
Investigation Closed Without Discipline
DSS - Exclusion Action for DV Arrest
Accusation Withdrawn Prior to Hearing
Physical Therapy Board - Conviction for DUI & Under the Influence of Controlled Substances
Probation
Education
2005
California Western School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1997
University of California Santa Barbara
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2024
Community Free Legal Clinic
Administrative Law & Criminal Defense
2023
Community Free Legal Clinic
Administrative Law & Criminal Defense
2022
San Diego County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
Administrative Law - Policy & Procedure
Languages
Thai
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can I be denied a Counselor License in Texas for a DWI deferred adjudication that occurred 29 years ago?
09 Jul 2019
Q&A
Im in los angeles and have court order community service and want to no do u have to pay to do it cause i have no money?
11 Jul 2019
Q&A
Can I get my late husband's medical records
09 Jul 2019