Melissa Michaud, Attorney ico

Melissa Michaud, Attorney

Lawyers Near MeNorth CarolinaWake CountyRaleighDowntownFayetteville Street

150 Fayetteville St #1900, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA

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For expert education law counsel in North Carolina, turn to Melissa Michaud, a partner at Tharrington Smith, LLP in Raleigh. With a unique background as a former teacher and extensive legal experience, Melissa advises school systems on personnel, investigations, and compliance issues.

  • Overview
  • (919) 821-4711
  • tharringtonsmith.com

Hours

Monday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Melissa Michaud, Attorney Introduce

The intricate world of education in North Carolina, encompassing public school systems, their staff, and students, is constantly evolving, bringing with it a complex array of legal challenges. From ensuring proper personnel practices to navigating student rights and complying with federal mandates, educational institutions require sophisticated legal guidance. For school boards and administrators across the state, having an attorney who not only understands the law but also the practical realities of the classroom is an invaluable asset. In Raleigh, one such highly respected legal professional is Melissa Michaud, Attorney, a dedicated partner at Tharrington Smith, LLP.

Melissa Michaud's unique journey, which includes hands-on experience as a middle school teacher through Teach for America, provides her with an exceptional perspective on the daily operations and legal needs of educational environments. This, combined with her strong legal background and commitment to public service, positions her as a formidable and empathetic advocate for North Carolina's educational community. This article will provide a detailed overview of Melissa Michaud's practice, her convenient location, the specialized services she offers, and the key features that make her a premier choice for education law matters within the state.

Introduction / Overview

Melissa Michaud is a distinguished attorney specializing exclusively in education law, serving as a partner within the highly regarded Education Law Section at Tharrington Smith, LLP in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her practice is dedicated to providing comprehensive legal advice and representation to public school systems and other educational entities throughout the state. Her areas of expertise are broad, encompassing critical issues such as personnel matters, internal investigations, regulatory compliance, and complex litigation in both state and federal courts.

Ms. Michaud's path to becoming a leading education law attorney is particularly notable. After graduating from Brown University in 2004, she spent two years teaching middle school in Eastern North Carolina as part of the Teach for America program. This direct experience in the classroom granted her invaluable insight into the operational nuances and challenges faced by schools, fostering a practical understanding that complements her legal acumen. She then pursued her Juris Doctor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating with high honors in 2009. During law school, she was an editor and staff member of the North Carolina Law Review, a student lawyer in the Juvenile Justice Clinic, and a member of the UNC Law Pro Bono Board. Before joining Tharrington Smith in 2013, she also served as a trial attorney at the United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Educational Opportunities Section, where she focused on enforcing civil rights statutes in the K-12 context, including Title IV, Title IX, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. This extensive background makes her exceptionally qualified to handle the intricate legal landscape of education.

Location and Accessibility

Melissa Michaud, Attorney, practices from a strategically located and easily accessible office in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina. Her office is situated at:

150 Fayetteville St #1900, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA

This address places her within the Wells Fargo Building, a prominent and recognizable landmark on Fayetteville Street, a central and vital thoroughfare in downtown Raleigh. The central location provides significant convenience for clients across North Carolina, including school administrators, board members, and educators. Fayetteville Street is well-served by Raleigh's public transportation system, making it accessible for those commuting via bus. For clients traveling by car from within Raleigh or from surrounding counties, numerous parking garages and street parking options are available within a short walk of the office. The professional setting of the Wells Fargo Building ensures a discreet and comfortable environment for legal consultations. This central and accessible placement underscores Tharrington Smith, LLP's commitment to providing efficient and convenient legal services to the state's educational community.

Services Offered

Melissa Michaud’s practice is exclusively focused on education law, providing comprehensive legal counsel and representation tailored to the unique needs of public school systems and educational institutions in North Carolina. Her services encompass a broad range of critical areas, including:

  • Personnel Matters: Advising school systems on all aspects of employee relations, including hiring, contracts, evaluations, grievances, disciplinary actions, and dismissals, ensuring compliance with state and federal employment laws.
  • Internal Investigations: Conducting and advising on internal investigations related to various complaints, including employee misconduct, student issues, and Title IX concerns.
  • Compliance Issues: Guiding school systems on adherence to complex regulatory frameworks, such as federal civil rights statutes (Title IV, Title IX, ADA), FERPA (student privacy), and state education laws.
  • Litigation & Appeals: Representing school board clients in a wide array of legal disputes before state and federal courts, as well as administrative agency tribunals, handling cases from initiation through appeals.
  • Student Matters: Providing counsel on student rights, discipline, attendance, residency, and other legal issues impacting students.
  • Special Education Law: Advising on compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, including due process hearings and IEP matters.
  • Policy Review & Development: Assisting school systems in drafting, reviewing, and updating policies to ensure legal soundness and alignment with best practices.
  • Open Meetings & Public Records Law: Guiding school boards and administrators on compliance with transparency laws in North Carolina.

Through these specialized services, Melissa Michaud ensures that educational institutions receive robust and informed legal support to navigate their complex operational and regulatory environments.

Features / Highlights

Melissa Michaud's professional profile is distinguished by several key features and recognitions, underscoring her expertise and standing in the field of education law:

  • Specialized Education Law Focus: Her practice is exclusively dedicated to education law, offering a highly concentrated and deep understanding of this specific legal arena.
  • Former Educator Background: Her two years teaching middle school with Teach for America provides her with invaluable practical insight into the daily realities and challenges faced by schools, enhancing her ability to provide realistic and effective legal solutions.
  • Former Department of Justice Trial Attorney: Her experience in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, where she enforced civil rights statutes in the K-12 context, brings a federal perspective and deep understanding of compliance to her practice.
  • High Academic Achievements: Graduating with high honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law and serving on the North Carolina Law Review highlights her strong legal foundation and analytical skills.
  • "Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch" Recognition: Ms. Michaud has been recognized in the "Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch" list for 2024, a significant acknowledgment of her emerging talent and excellence in the legal profession, as determined by peer review.
  • Leadership in Professional Associations: She is an active and leading member of the North Carolina Bar Association's Education Section, having served as Chair (2019-2020), Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. This demonstrates her influence and commitment to shaping education law in the state.
  • Active in Local Bar Associations: She is an active member of the 10th Judicial District Bar and the Wake County Bar Association, contributing to the legal community in Raleigh.
  • Partner at Tharrington Smith, LLP: As a partner in a highly respected and long-standing firm known for its comprehensive legal services, Ms. Michaud benefits from extensive firm resources and a collaborative environment.

These highlights collectively reinforce Melissa Michaud's position as a highly capable, knowledgeable, and dedicated attorney, particularly well-suited to address the legal needs of North Carolina's educational sector.

Promotions or Special Offers

As a highly experienced and specialized attorney practicing within a well-established law firm, Melissa Michaud, Attorney, focuses on delivering expert legal counsel and robust representation rather than offering typical "promotions" or discounts. Her value proposition is rooted in her profound knowledge of education law, her unique background as a former educator, and her proven ability to guide school systems through complex legal challenges and achieve favorable outcomes.

While specific "special offers" are not part of her professional services in a promotional sense, prospective clients—primarily public school systems and educational entities in North Carolina—are encouraged to contact her office for a consultation. During this initial discussion, you can outline your specific legal needs, whether related to personnel matters, compliance, or litigation. Ms. Michaud and her team will discuss how their specialized services can address your situation and provide clear information on their fee structure, which is typically based on the complexity and scope of the legal work required. Engaging with an attorney of Ms. Michaud's caliber is an investment in ensuring legal compliance, mitigating risks, and effectively resolving disputes within the educational environment. Direct communication is the best way to determine how her expertise can benefit your institution.

Contact Information

For educational institutions, school boards, or individuals in North Carolina seeking expert legal guidance from Melissa Michaud, Attorney, her office is readily accessible:

  • Address: 150 Fayetteville St #1900, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA
  • Phone: (919) 821-4711
  • Mobile Phone: +1 919-821-4711

Melissa Michaud practices as a partner at Tharrington Smith, LLP. When contacting the office, you can expect a professional and helpful response from the firm's administrative team. They are equipped to assist you with scheduling a consultation or answering any preliminary questions you might have regarding her specialized legal services in education law. It is advisable to reach out during standard business hours to ensure direct communication with the appropriate staff who can best assist with your inquiry.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For North Carolina's public school systems, educational institutions, and stakeholders, Melissa Michaud, Attorney, is an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended legal resource. Her unique blend of hands-on experience as a former middle school teacher in Eastern North Carolina and her extensive legal background, including a period with the U.S. Department of Justice, provides her with an unparalleled understanding of the nuances and challenges within the educational landscape.

Her specialized focus on education law means that clients receive targeted, informed, and strategic counsel on critical issues ranging from complex personnel matters and internal investigations to student rights and compliance with federal statutes like Title IX. This dedicated expertise ensures that North Carolina's schools can navigate their legal obligations with confidence and effectively address any disputes that arise.

Furthermore, Ms. Michaud's active leadership within the North Carolina Bar Association's Education Section demonstrates her commitment to staying at the forefront of legal developments impacting education in the state. Her central location in Raleigh also provides convenient access for educational clients across North Carolina. By choosing Melissa Michaud, local educational entities gain not just a lawyer, but a dedicated partner with a deep practical understanding of their operations and a proven ability to deliver effective legal solutions.

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Melissa Michaud, Attorney

150 Fayetteville St #1900, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA

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