Kedzie, Michael J.

Melonie joined Barris, Sott, Denn & Driker in 2002 after graduating from the Syracuse University College of Law. She is a member of the firm's litigation group and has been an integral member of several large trial teams. Melonie also handles the firms employment compliance matters.

Melonie has a special interest in electronic discovery, with experience in all aspects, from implementing litigation holds to collection, review, and production of electronically stored information, as well as a working knowledge of the law in this developing area. Melonie's knowledge of computers is not limited to discovery. She also makes use of technology in all aspects of her practice, to improve productivity and for trial presentation.

Areas of Practice
Commercial Litigation, Employment Litigation, and Employment Compliance

Education
J.D., cum laude, with a Certificate in Law, Technology, & Management, Syracuse University College of Law, 2002

B.S., cum laude, Mathematics, Michigan Technological University, 1999

Professional Associations:
Admitted: State Bar of Michigan, State Bar of New York, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Melonie is the Secretary of the Law Practice Management and Legal Administrator's Section of the State Bar of Michigan and has been a member of the Council since 2009.  She also assists with the Section's newsletter and social media.

Community Involvement

Melonie is a member of the Board of Dicrectors for the Michigan Chapter of the Children's Heart Foundation, an organization dedicated to funding research into congenital heart defects.  Melonie also serves on the committee for Southeast Michigan's Congenital Heart Walk. From 2010 to 2011, Melonie was the Vice President and a member of the board of directors of It's My Heart--Metro Detroit. Melonie has dedicated her free time to supporting local families living with congenital heart defects and to raising awareness in the community and money for research into congenital heart defects.

Pro Bono Experience
Melonie and another BSDD attorney successfully worked with the ACLU of Michigan in protecting several protestors' and motorists' right to honk for peace. The two BSDD attorneys donated hundreds of pro bono hours challenging the City of Ferndale's policy prohibiting "Honk for Peace" signs and the motorists who honked in response. Ultimately, U.S. District Court Judge Denise Page Hood struck down the City's policy in the first decision of its kind. No other court had addressed whether the United States Constitution protected such activity before this case had been brought.

Significant Accomplishments
Named Up & Coming Lawyer for 2011 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly 

Named Rising Star for 2012 by Super Lawyers Michigan 

Syracuse Law Review, Form and Accuracy Editor

Syracuse Law & Technology Journal, Associate Editor

Representative Publication

Breaking the Power Point Mold, State Bar of Michigan Law Practice Management & Legal Administrations Section Spring 2011 e-Newsletter (6/29/11).
Note, How Should Competing Software Programs Marry? The Antitrust Ramifications of Standard-Setting Consortia in the Software Industry, 52 Syracuse L. Rev. 139 (2001).

Past Employment Positions
New York State Office of the Attorney General, Clerk