Melissa Rankine

Melissa Rankine joined Katherine Maloney as an associate attorney in 2023, bringing a robust foundation of over 15 years of experience as a paralegal prior to earning her license in 2021. This extensive background provides her with a unique, "in-the-trenches" perspective on the legal system, allowing her to navigate complex cases with seasoned efficiency.

Areas of Practice

Melissa's practice is diverse, focusing on appeals, trust litigation, partition actions, and both pre- and post-decree family law. Unlike many practitioners in Will County, Melissa maintains a dedicated focus on Appellate Law. Handling an appeal requires a different discipline than trial work, it demands exhaustive legal research, precise brief-writing, and a mastery of the record. Melissa leverages this skill set to help clients challenge lower court rulings or defend favorable judgments on appeal.

Academic Background & Honors

Melissa graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside with a degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology. She earned her Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where she was awarded a certification in Public Interest and Social Justice. Notably, she balanced the rigors of law school while working full-time at a family law firm. Her law school tenure was marked by several distinctions:

Student Bar Association Representative (Class of 2021)

Dean's List recipient

Recipient of Loyola's inaugural Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Award (2019)

Study abroad at the John Felice Rome Center in Italy under Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Professional Experience & Leadership

Before joining Katherine L. Maloney & Associates, LLC, Melissa gained specialized experience as an attorney managing the formation and compliance of alternative investment funds for startups and angel investors. Leveraging her experience in these complex financial structures, she now applies that same analytical precision to trust litigation and high-stakes family law matters.

Today, she is a deeply involved member of the Illinois legal community, currently serving as the Secretary of the Will County Women's Bar Association. Her professional affiliations include:

Illinois State Bar Association

Will and Kendall County Bar Associations

Young Lawyers Association

Plainfield Shorewood Chamber of Commerce

Community & Personal Life

A dedicated advocate, Melissa has served as a mentor at Chicago's Legal Prep Academy, interned for the American Bar Association, and volunteered for the Legal Aid of Illinois and the Inner-City Muslim Action Network's Family Law Clinic.

Originally from the Cayman Islands, Melissa frequently returns to the islands to visit family. At home, she is an avid traveler and DIY enthusiast who enjoys tackling home renovation projects. Away from the office, Melissa treasures time with her husband and their young son, Kingston.

Our Commitment

Melissa is dedicated to providing compassionate, detail-oriented advocacy for her clients in Will, Kendall, Grundy, and DuPage Counties. She ensures comprehensive and dedicated representation by staying at the forefront of evolving legal trends.