Melissa Merritt

According to her parents, Melissa Merritt has been arguing since she started talking. Melissa was raised in Micanopy, Florida, and is a proud “Double Gator,” having attended the University of Florida College of Journalism, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude, as well as the University of Florida Levin College of Law. During an externship in law school, Melissa was assigned to the Public Defender’s Office in the Juvenile division. Representing juveniles inspired Melissa to dedicate her legal career to serving children and families.  Throughout law school, she continued her worked as a Certified Legal Intern with the Public Defender’s Office, was a Fellow of the Florida Bar Foundation, and earned a Certificate in Family Law. Melissa received a Book Award in Collaborative Law and was also selected for the law school’s Trial Team. She was a member of the 2010 Chester Bedell Florida Bar Competition winning team as well as a participant in the 2009 National Trial Competition.

Following her graduation in 2010, Melissa married her husband, David, and moved to Clay County where she joined the State Attorney’s Office. As an Assistant State Attorney, she tried over 25 jury trials ranging from DUI to Attempted Murder.  Working in Green Cove Springs as a young prosecutor was a formative experience. Melissa observed several local attorneys (including Mr. Nichols) who demonstrated the civility, professionalism, and litigation skills she aspired to.  Throughout her legal career, she has worked to demonstrate the same advocacy and professionalism as the attorneys and judges who mentored her.

In 2016, Melissa joined the largest, exclusively family law firm in Florida.  During her time there, she appeared in a number of family law courtrooms throughout Florida, from the panhandle to Fort Lauderdale, on behalf of fathers fighting for parental responsibility and timesharing. In 2023, Melissa was appointed to serve the Fourth Judicial Circuit in Duval County as a General Magistrate in the family law division. Humbled by the opportunity to serve the Court and local families, Melissa heard approximately 1,000 family law matters during her time on the bench.

As the newest member of Nichols & Pina team, Melissa is eager to put her passion for challenging unfairness and zeal for justice to work for our clients and their families. Melissa continues to reside in Clay County with her husband, their two daughters, and their daughters’ 4H projects which include a small flock of hens and a rabbit. When they are not traveling, Melissa and her family volunteer regularly with their local church and at Children’s Miracle Network events.