Melissa M. Coates, Ph.D.

Associate

Melissa M. Coates represents clients in class actions, intellectual property, product liability, and financial services litigation before US federal and state court. In addition to complex commercial litigation, Melissa maintains an active pro bono practice. As a participant in Miami’s Legal Line and Small Claims Clinic, she advises local individuals on a range of issues. A former research scientist, Melissa holds a Ph.D. in biological sciences.

Extended Profile

In law school, Melissa interned for US District Court Judge Cecilia Altonaga and served as a research assistant to Professor Mary Doyle. She was also a member of the University of Miami Law Review. After law school, Melissa served as a law clerk to Judge Paul C. Huck of the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Prior to law school, she received a Fulbright Fellowship to conduct research at Lund University in Sweden. During her academic career and several years spent as a research scientist, Melissa authored scientific publications and received research fellowships from the National Science Foundation, the Grass Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health.

Education

University of Miami, 2014, J.D., Summa Cum Laude
Stanford University, 2005, Ph.D. (Biological Sciences)
University of Washington, 1997, B.S

Admissions

Florida
US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
US District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Clerkships

Clerkship to Judge Paul C. Huck of the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida (2016 - 2017)

Awards and Affiliations

Morgan Lewis Diversity Fellow

Fulbright Fellow

Member, Order of the Coif