Melissa Shirey

Attorney Shirey has a bachelor's degree from The Pennsylvania State University, Behrend College and her Master’s degree from Gannon University. She then attended The Ohio State University for law school and upon completion of her degree, returned to live and work in her home of Erie County, Pennsylvania. Since completing law school, Attorney Shirey has practiced in a variety of civil law areas, but has primarily concentrated her practice in the area of family law, estate planning, estate administration, and real estate.

One of Attorney Shirey's cases received national media attention and established law in Pennsylvania regarding the custody rights of a biological parent versus that of a surrogate.

Attorney Shirey has also been trained in Collaborative Law/Practice since 2013. She is also a trained Mediator and has an active practice in this area.

Education:
•The Ohio State University, Juris Doctor, with honors
•Gannon University, Master of Public Administration
•The Pennsylvania State University, Behrend College, Political Science, with honors (Schreyer Scholar)

Admissions and Professional Associations:
•United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
•All Courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
•Pennsylvania Bar Association
•Erie County Bar Association

Achievements:
•Editor-in-Chief, The Ohio State University Journal on Dispute Resolution (2002)
•Harry S. Truman Scholar (1996)
•Ralph Dorn Hetzel Award from the Pennsylvania State University (1997)
•Alumni Achievement Award from the Pennsylvania State University (2011)

Bar Association Involvement:
•Erie County Bar Association, Board of Directors
•Erie County Bar Association, Second Vice President (2014)
•Erie County Bar Association, First Vice President (2015)
•Erie County Bar Association, President (2016)
•Pennsylvania Bar Association Bar Leadership Institute (2011)