I have been a Florida Trial Lawyer since 1971 when I had my first jury trial in Gainesville, and I have been in and out of the courtroom ever since. As a Trial Lawyer I enjoy helping people get their lives back together after a serious accident or an arrest. I consider myself an expert in negotiating settlements as well as trying cases in the courtroom. I have the determination and experience to go head to head with the big and powerful insurance companies that try to take advantage of people who were injured through no fault of their own. I always fight hard to get every one of my clients the justice they deserve.
I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, came to Gainesville in 1970 after graduating law school at Case-Western Reserve University, passed the Florida Bar, and opened my practice in downtown Gainesville in 1971. After 37 years, every work day I still enjoy going to work, getting to know and help my clients that come to my office from all over North Florida, working with my amazing staff, and fighting for the rights of individuals and for the justice they are entitled to.
Throughout my years in Gainesville I have enjoyed giving back to the community through numerous community service activities. My recent public service contributions are my three Consumer Guide Books. I am very proud of these books which are a culmination of my 42 years of legal experience and insights. It is my intention that these books help the people of Florida from making mistakes that can negatively affect their lives for many years.
As an attorney, I concentrate in personal injury accident and wrongful death cases as well as DUI/ Criminal Defense. I regularly attend seminars to stay up to date on emerging trends and technology in these fields of law. In addition, over the past 20 years I have lectured and been chairman of many legal seminars in Florida. I get deep satisfaction in teaching and raising the level of professionalism for both young and experienced attorneys.
BAR ADMISSIONS:
Florida State Bar 1971
EDUCATION:
J.D, Case Western Reserve University School of Law – 1969
B.A (Business Administration) Ohio State University – 1966
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Meldon Law (Founding Attorney) 1971 – Present
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:
Million Dollar Advocates Forum
American Association for Justice
American Bar Association
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL)
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
Eighth Judicial Circuit Chapter of FACDL
Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Assocation
Fifth Judicial Cirduit Bar Association
Florida Bar Criminal Law Section
Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section
NORML, Legal Committee
Florida Justice Association
Florida Bar Association
Florida Bar Activities
Florida Bar
Florida Bar Traffic Court Rules Committee (Rules Committee for DUI, Driving While License Suspended, and other traffic related offenses.) Member 1992 – 2002, Chairman 1999 – 2000
Florida Bar Rules of Judicial Administration Committee (Rules Committee for all Felony, Misdemeanor and Civil Court Rules.) 1999 – 2000 Member
Florida Bar DUI Seminars Chairman 1997, 1999 to 2008
Florida Bar Civil Procedure Rules Committee 2002 – 2007 (Rules Committee for Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Cases)
HONORS AND AWARDS:
Top 100 Trial Lawyers (National Trial Lawyers) 2013
PUBLICATIONS:
A 3-Step Approach to Purchasing Adequate Auto Insurance at Competative Pricing (Buying Florida Auto Insurance) 2010
A DUI Guide for Alachua County Florida (Ways to Possibly Avoid a DUI Charge or Conviction in Alachua County) 2010
Consumer Protection Guide for Accident Cases in Florida (Seven Mistakes That Can Wreck Yout Florida Accident Case) 2009
Elledge and Meldon, “Coram Nobis Revisited,” Florida Bar Criminal Law Section Newsletter, March, 1992.
Elledge and Meldon, “Coram Nobis Update,” Florida Bar Criminal Law Section Newsletter, December, 1992.
CONFERENCE:
Basic Criminal Law 2014 (Defending DUI Cases) 2014
LECTURES AND CHAIRMANSHIPS:
Masters of DUI Lecturer “Case Law Update”- March 27, 2015-Florida Bar Sponsored
Basic Criminal Law Lecturer “Defending DUI Cases”- October, 31 2014-Florida Bar Sponsored
Basic Criminal Practice Lecturer “Defending DUI Cases”- April 26, 2013-Florida Bar Sponsored
“Lorman DUI Seminar/Webinar” –July 29, 2010
“Lorman DUI Seminar” – May 1, 2009- Tampa, Florida – Chairman/Lecturer
2009 Masters of DUI” – January 16, 2009 – Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored – Chairman/Lecturer
“Lorman DUI Seminar” – May 16, 2008 – Tampa, Florida – Chairman/Lecturer
“2008 Masters of DUI” – January 18, 2008 – Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored – Chairman/Lecturer
“Lorman DUI Seminar” – May 18, 2007 – Tampa, Florida – Chairman/Lecturer
“2007 Masters of DUI” – January 19, 2007 – Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored – Chairman/Lecturer
“Lorman DUI Seminar” – May 19, 2006 – Tampa, Florida – Chairman/Lecturer
“2006 Masters of DUI” – January 20, 2006 – Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored – Chairman/Lecturer
“Lorman DUI Seminar” – May 20, 2005 – Tampa, Florida – Chairman/Lecturer
“2005 Masters of DUI” – January 21, 2005 – Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored – Chairman/Lecturer
“Lorman DUI Seminar” – May 21, 2004 – Tampa, Florida – Chairman/Lecturer
“2004 Masters of DUI” – January 16, 2004 – Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored – Chairman/Lecturer
“Lorman DUI Seminar” – May 21, 2004 – Tampa, Florida – Chairman/Lecturer
“2003 Masters of DUI” – January 17, 2003 – Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored – Lecturer/Chairman
“Lorman DUI Seminar” – May 2, 2003 – Tampa, Florida – Chairman/Lecturer
“Strategies in Handling DUI Cases” – May 4, 2002 – Tampa, Florida – Lorman Educational Services, Lecturer
“Case Law Update (topic DUI)” – April 2002 – Tampa, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored, Chairman and Lecturer
“Strategies in Handling DUI Cases” – March 14, 2002 – Jacksonville, Florida – Lorman Educational Services, Lecturer
“2002 Masters of DUI” – January 18, 2002 – Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored, Chairman/Lecturer
“Strategies in Handling DUI Cases” – July 20, 2001 – Orlando, Florida – Lorman Educational Services, Lecturer
“Strategies in Handling DUI Cases” – May 4, 2001 – Tampa, Florida – Lorman Educational Services, Lecturer
“Strategies in Handling DUI Cases” – March 29, 2001 – Jacksonville, Florida – Lorman Educational Services, Lecturer
“Masters of DUI Seminar” – January 19, 2001, Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored, Chairman and Lecturer
“Strategies in Handling DUI Cases” – May 4, 2000 – Tampa, Florida – Lorman Educational Services, Lecturer
“Hot Issues in DUI and Traffic Law” – January 14, 2000 – Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored, Chairman and Lecturer
“Strategies in Handling DUI Cases” – March 30, 1999 – Jacksonville, Florida – Lorman Educational Services, Lecturer
“1999 Masters of DUI” – January 22, 1999 – Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored, Chairman and Lecturer
“Strategies in Handling DUI Cases” – March 31, 1998 – Jacksonville, Florida – Lorman Educational Services, Lecturer
“The Twists and Turns of Successful Traffic Defense” – January 23, 1998, Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored, Chairman and Lecturer
“Matters of DUI Seminar” – January 24, 1997 – Florida Bar Sponsored, Chairman and Lecturer
“Walking the Line of DUI” – June 23, 1994, Orlando, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored, Lecturer
FACDL Blood Breath & Tears XXII Lecturer, September 18, 2015.
Cost
Rate : $$$