Melissa N. Suffield

Melissa N. Suffield is J.D. Paralegal & Case Analyst at Siddiqui Law, APC. An experienced professional, community organizer & activist, Ms. Suffield supports the firm's operations and overall case management. Her daily assignments include the critical function of supporting the firm's litigators and coordinating all lawsuit phases -- from filings through pre-trial discovery, trial preparations and Court presentations. Ms. Suffield's experience and skillset includes case management, case analysis, background investigations, and legal research & writing in a multitude of practice areas, including civil & business litigation, intellectual property, criminal law, contract law, real estate law (unlawful detainers, mortgages, quiet title), and probate law.

A North Orange County native, Ms. Suffield began her successful legal career working as a Paralegal at a civil litigation firm in Long Beach, California and for a probate firm in Costa Mesa, California. She also worked as a Case Reviewer for a litigation service firm in Aliso Viejo, California, where she reviewed, analyzed, and coded electronic discovery documents in support of class action lawsuits.

Ms. Suffield earned her Juris Doctor (J.D) from Whittier Law School (WLS) in 2017, where she graduated with honors, cum laude. In law school, Ms. Suffield was Vice-President of the Student Bar Association and was an active Board Member and highly-ranked Competitor (3rd Nationally - March 2017) on the Trial Advocacy Honors Board and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Honors Board. Ms. Suffield also served as Chair and Member of the WLS Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) and was an active member of the Intellectual Property Law Society, the Center for Intellectual Property Law, and the Entertainment & Sports Law Society.

Ms. Suffield also holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree with a major in English and triple minors in American History,American Literature, and Chemistry, from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), where she graduated in 2014. On the Dean's Honor List, she was inducted as a Member of the Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society.

A former Ms. Buena Park pageant winner (Miss Silverado 2012-2013; Silverado Princess 2011-2012), Ms. Suffield enjoys community service projects, baking, going to Disneyland, and Star Wars.

Education

• Whittier Law School

Juris Doctor (J.D.) - Law (2017)

Graduated Cum Laude with Honors; Activities & Societies: Dean's Honor List; Trial Advocacy Honors Board; Alternative Dispute Resolution Honors Board – External Competitor; Student Bar Association – Vice President 2016-2017; Student Bar Association – Personal Relations Chair 2015-2016; Active Member: APALSA; Active Member: Intellectual Property Law Society; Member: Center for Intellectual Property Law; and Member: Entertainment & Sports Law Society.

• California State University - Fullerton (CSUF)

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - English w/ triple minors in American History, American Literature, & Chemistry (2014)

Activities & Societies: Dean's Honor List; Sigma Tau Delta Honors Society; CSUF Pre-Law Society.

Recognitions: Honors + Awards

• Trial Advocacy Honors Board: WLS (2017)
• Alternative Dispute Resolution Honors Board: WLS (2017)
• ADRB Internal Negotiation Competition Champion (2016)

Organizations

• New Directions for Women (Keynote Speaker; Guest Speaker; Community Activist)
• Frisco Noon Lions Club (Community Service Volunteer)
• Boys & Girls Club of Buena Park
• YMCA

Professional & Legal Associations

• Whittier Law School (WLS) Alumni Association
• Cal State Fullerton (CSUF) Alumni Association

Hobbies

• Community Service Projects
• Baking
• Disneyland (Disney "Signature" Passport Holder -- Disneyland Resort)
• Star Wars