Melissa M. Ruvolo, Esq. joined the firm in 2012 and became partner and co-owner in 2013. She represents clients in all stages of family law litigation and settlement negotiations. She is also a family law mediator and Collaborative Divorce attorney. She is frequently appointed by the Court as a Guardian ad Litem.

As a mother of four children, one of whom is autistic, Melissa is laser focused on the specific needs of each child in each case. Rather than merely adopting positions regarding custody and parenting time and making the standard legal arguments accordingly, she aims to also understand each child’s specific needs and circumstances, including their personalities, educational needs, medical needs, and psychological needs. Most importantly, if there is any reasonable prospect of helping that child’s parents learn how to overcome their differences enough to co-parent their child in a healthy and productive way, she will make every effort to assist them in reaching that milestone – whether she is communicating with opposing counsel or is directly working with the parties as a mediator.

When working with her clients, Melissa emphasizes the importance of collaboration, strategy, and self-empowerment. She is a straight-talking, compassionate, tenacious, and responsible advocate capable of tailoring her responses and strategies to the issues and personalities involved in each case. Melissa’s ultimate goal is to ensure her clients are educated, empowered, and prepared for their journey during and after the legal process. She believes every case is unique and deserves a well-thought, organized, and unique approach customized to the needs and goals of the people involved.

Melissa M. Ruvolo, Esq. has been recognized by Avvo, an independent legal organization. Her profile, references, peer endorsements, awards and recognitions, testimonials, and additional background information can be viewed here.

To schedule a consultation with Melissa to learn about how she can help in your family law matter, we welcome you to contact Family Focused Legal Solutions.

Specialties and Certifications

  • Certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as an Attorney in Matrimonial Law
  • Qualified Family Law Mediator
  • Qualified Collaborative Family Law Attorney

Bar Admissions

  • New Jersey, 2006
  • U.S. District Court of New Jersey, 2006
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 2019

Education 

  • Rutgers School of Law – Camden, with honors, Camden, New Jersey, J.D.
    • Law Journal: Rutgers Journal of Law and Public Policy, Marketing and Public Relations Editor
  • The College of New Jersey, B.A.
    • Major: Business Marketing
    • Minor: Law and Justice

Honors and Awards

  • Selected for Inclusion in New Jersey Super Lawyers – Super Lawyer, 2021 - 2023
  • Selected for Inclusion in New Jersey Super Lawyers - Rising Stars, 2009 - 2020
  • Recipient, Rutgers ¬Camden School of Law Pro Bono Award, 2006
  • Selected as one of the “10 Best” Family Law Attorneys for the State of New Jersey by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys (2015)
  • Peer Reviewed by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Client Champion Gold by Martindale-Hubbell, 2022
  • Top Attorneys in New Jersey (2022), as recognized by New Jersey Monthly

*Super Lawyers lists are issued by Thomson Reuters. See the Super Lawyers website for a description of the selection methodology and other information about Super Lawyers. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Life Outside the Office

Melissa lives in Morris County with her husband, 4 children, her Siberian Husky Scout and her Goldendoodle Fozzie.  Melissa has two (yes, two) sets of twins, who are 16 months apart.  When she is not in the office or working from home, she enjoys spending family time with her kids and husband, planning themed kiddie-parties, working on home improvement projects, crafting with her kids, and relaxing.  She serves on the Long Hill Township Board of Education. 

You May Not Know

  • She danced on stage at an N’Sync concert and had a ridiculously enthusiastic reaction about getting chosen to dance on said stage. (She will deny this, but Laura does not lie.)
  • As a new associate at a prominent family law firm, Melissa took an April Fool’s prank too far when she created a fake ultrasound image and convinced her boss that she was pregnant with twins. Several years later, she became pregnant with twins. Six months after they were born, she became pregnant with another set of twins.  She has since adjusted her approach to April Fool’s Day pranks.
  • In an attempt to enjoy a creative activity with her 4 young kids, Melissa decided to make “Bath Bombs” with her kids. It abruptly ended when the bath bombs literally exploded in her kitchen, leaving Melissa covered in bath bomb ingredients and needing stitches. 
  • Melissa’s lifelong dream is to meet and play with a monkey, preferably a chimpanzee, and live to talk about it.
  • Although Melissa is the youngest sibling, she has described herself as the friendliest and most responsible. (Laura disagrees.)
  • Melissa has an irrational fear of spiders, and she will throw you in front of one to save herself.
  • Early in her career, Melissa considered leaving the practice of law to become a teacher. Instead, Melissa decided to form a law firm that particularly dedicated itself to the needs of children.