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Melissa Bender, Esq.

Attorney Editor

Melissa Bender, Esq., Attorney Editor

Melissa Bender strives to assist FindLaw in ensuring our articles are as up-to-date and legally accurate as possible.

Melissa is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. She is a graduate of Emory University with a B.A. in Political Science and History. She received her J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law.  Melissa has a career spanning over 20 years as a trial attorney in three different states. Approximately half of her career was spent as a prosecutor in Alabama and Maryland handling all types of criminal cases. The other half was primarily spent as an attorney specializing in family law in Maryland. Melissa also has experience as a civil litigator in a variety of civil practice areas from her work with a firm outside of Philadelphia. This breadth of experience makes her extremely qualified to review our content and understand the concepts we are trying to share.

Melissa currently works as a consultant for other attorneys in Maryland handling research, writing, editing, and trial preparation.  She also acts as a mediator in family law cases and has done so for the past four years in both court-appointed and private cases.

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Latest Articles

  • State Minimum Wage and Overtime Pay Laws

    Click on any state or jurisdiction to find out about applicable minimum wage and overtime laws from FindLaw.

  • Will I Get Arrested If I Use Drugs During Pregnancy?

    Though you may be arrested for using illegal drugs, there are generally no additional criminal charges for doing so while pregnant. Two states, Alabama and South Carolina, have upheld criminal child abuse verdicts for prenatal illegal drug use, primarily on the grounds those states believe a viable fetus is a person. In the other 48 states, you are relatively safe. Tennessee had a specific criminal law against using illegal drugs while pregnant, though it expired in 2016.

  • Election-Related Security a Concern at Courthouses

    With Election Day fast approaching, many branches of government are on high alert. There is concern for elected officials, of course, with two assassination attempts already on former President Donald Trump. But it is not just elected officials who are at risk. According to a top security official for…

  • Music Labels Join Lawsuit Frenzy Against Artificial Intelligence

    Artificial intelligence has been all over the news recently. Its use seems to be increasing in all aspects of life. But, so far AI innovations have come with a host of legal problems. This includes how AI programs are "trained" (using copyrighted material) and programs that make "new"…

  • Court Says Google Illegally Maintains Monopoly over Internet Searches

    "Googled" has become a popular verb for everyday life. Whenever someone wants to search for something on the internet, typically they will say they are "googling" it even if they don't use the Google search engine to conduct their actual search. But the U.S. government and the majority of…

  • Can I Sue for Verbal Assault or Insulting Language?

    In some limited situations, an individual can be sued for yelling at or for insulting another person. While the threshold for when an insult or scream crosses the line is rather hazy, there are some clearly defined lines that are helpful. For instance, if the yelling is threatening violence, or is done in a way where the listener fears for their physical safety, there are likely possible legal consequences.

  • Biden Proposes Term Limits for SCOTUS

    Becoming a United States Supreme Court Justice is not an easy task, and for good reason. The individuals who sit on our country's highest court are all guaranteed a position for life under current rules. The Court's opinions can greatly affect the national legal and political landscape. By allowing…

  • Car Dealerships Fight Regulations Lowering Surprise Fees, Scams

    The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") finalized a new rule in December of 2023 called the Combating Auto Retail Scams (CARS) Regulations. It was part of a broader effort by the federal government to crack down on hidden fees, junk fees, and other "…

  • What Is the AI-focused COPIED Act?

    The COPIED Act (which stands for "Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media Act") is a bill which is currently pending in the United States Congress. It is sponsored by Senators Marsha Blackburn, Maria Cantwell and Martin Heinrich. The reason for this bill is protection for…

  • What Adds Expenses to Obtaining a Divorce?

    If you've decided that it’s time to get a divorce, one of your biggest concerns is likely how expensive the process can be. Between the court filing fees, attorney’s fees, and the cost for things like expert witnesses, it can really add up if your case becomes a drawn-out…

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