By Jo Mathis
Legal News
Melinda DeSantis works at Brinks Gilson, and Lione in the firm’s Ann Arbor office. Her primary focus is intellectual property law. Melinda grew up in Farmington Hills, Michigan and attended the University of Michigan, earning an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry. Melinda worked as a Laboratory Associate at Cayman Chemical Company until deciding to attend law school.
DeSantis graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 2013, where she was executive editor of Outside Articles for the school’s Law Review. Her fiancé, Justin Zatkoff, also attended the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. The couple plans to marry in September 2015.
Residence: Canton.
What is your most treasured material possession? Can I say my cat, Gypsy? Of course, I can’t really consider her a possession, but she certainly was my best study buddy throughout law school.
What advice do you have for someone considering law school? Do your homework, even before school starts! In other words, take time to ask yourself why you want to be a lawyer, and how that translates to possible job opportunities after law school. I had a specific focus during law school, which led me to good job opportunities after graduation.
Favorite local hangouts: I really like the new restaurant Aventura in Ann Arbor. Though, Dominick’s is a longtime favorite as well.
Favorite websites: Currently, Pinterest.com. Very fun for wedding planning!
What is your favorite app? My Nike App. I love running, and try to track my runs every morning before work.
What is your happiest childhood memory? Playing with our dog, Oscar.
What would surprise people about your job? How closely I get to work with scientists and engineers regarding current work in their fields.
What do you wish someone would invent? Teleportation! This would save me some time during the day…
What has been your favorite year so far? 2013. This is when I graduated law school and met my future husband, two awesome events that completely changed my future.
Reason you became a lawyer: I love both writing and science. These complement each other perfectly in my practice as an intellectual property attorney.
If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would that be? President of the United States, just for the day.
What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever been? The Grand Canyon. When I was younger, my dad, brother, and I hiked down to the base and back. We still talk about that to this day, what an adventure.
What did you do last weekend? I spent time at the lake, best summer pastime.
If you could have one super power, what would it be? Flight. That would be awesome.
What would you say to your 16-year-old self? Enjoy life. Things change fast.
What’s your proudest moment as a lawyer? So far, my swearing-in. I don’t have any close relatives that are lawyers. Who would have thought?
What do you do to relax? Run. I completed my first half marathon in 2013, and I hope to do another one in 2015.
How would you describe your home? Very colorful and welcoming. I also keep it organized and clean.
If you were starting all over again and couldn’t go into law, what career path would you choose? I would have stayed in the biotechnology/pharmacology field.
What’s one thing you would like to learn to do? Fly an airplane. It’s on my bucket list.
What is something most people don't know about you? I can be very goofy.
Can’t-live-without technology: The internet. I love having information at my fingertips.
What’s the best advice you ever received? If you have a goal, don’t stop until you reach it, regardless of what anyone says.
If you can help it, where will you never return? IKEA.
What do you drive? 2009 Ford Focus.
What would you drive if money were no object? Some type of convertible.
Favorite place to spend money: Too many to list! Probably on vacation.
What is your motto? Work hard, enjoy life.
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