Melanie was born and raised in Spokane and attended college at the University of Notre Dame. After college, Melanie attended law school at Seattle University where she served on the board of the Women's Law Caucus, the Student Bar Association, and was a member of the Moot Court Competition Team. Melanie is currently a member of the Spokane Society of Young Professionals, a board member of the Spokane County United Way's Emerging Leaders Society, and the co-chair and founder of the Spokane Chapter of Notre Dame Women Connect. Melanie is licensed to practice in Washington, the Eastern District of Washington, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. TODD J. ADOLPHSON