Minneapolis Personal Injury and Professional License Defense Attorney

Named a Rising Star Attorney by Minnesota Super Lawyers

Named a 'Best Lawyer' by US News and World Report

Education

J.D. - Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, MN
B.A. Political Science - University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Professional Associations

American Association of Nurse Attorneys, Member 

Minnesota State Bar Association, Member

Minnesota Association for Justice, Member

Melissa Heinlein joined the firm in 2013 and became partner in 2017 as a result of her dedication and commitment. She is highly regarded by her clients for skilled and compassionate representation. In her professional licensing practice, she is a thoughtful advocate. She invests the time and care required to understand each client's story to learn the integral details about their case. With this level of personalized attention, Melissa develops the best strategy possible for responding to allegations from a licensing board. In her personal injury practice, Melissa brings this same level of attention care to each case and stands up against big insurance companies to get her clients the compensation they deserve.

Melissa's work ethic was forged early in a small community in Wisconsin where her entrepreneurial parents taught her that with hard work, perseverance, and passion it is possible to achieve great things.

Melissa earned her Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, in 2004. After graduation, Melissa worked on social and environmental justice campaigns in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Focusing on equality for women, Melissa worked alongside political candidates and community leaders while advocating for changes in social and environmental policies at the Minnesota state capital.

With a desire to serve Minnesota residents on a more personal level, Melissa enrolled in Hamline University School of Law in 2009. There she further developed her passion and commitment to social justice, particularly for underserved communities. Her internship with the Ramsey County Public Defender, Juvenile Division, prompted Melissa to write an article published in the Hamline University Journal of Public Law and Policy Spring 2012, titled, The Age of Consent. The article critiqued the political and law enforcement response to domestic juvenile sex trafficking. Melissa received the Minnesota Woman Lawyer's Equal Justice Award for the article in 2012.

A lifelong artist, Melissa fosters her creative side by playing keyboard and singing vocals in an americana rock band,  J. Streitz and the Long Odds, with her husband and friends.

Melissa loves Minnesota and is honored to serve its residents with the passionate legal advocacy and personal attention they deserve. She lives with her family in south Minneapolis.

Melissa was named by Minnesota Super Lawyers as a Rising Star Attorney in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, an honor given only to 2.5% of Minnesota lawyers. Rising Stars is a designation of top-rated practicing attorneys selected through extensive evaluation.