Attorney Melissa-Ann Bruett has dedicated nearly her entire career to guiding her clients through family law matters including dissolution of marriage, allocation of parental responsibilities (including decision-making and parenting time), post-judgment modifications and child support. 

Mel is kind and compassionate to her clients. She treats each client with respect, understanding that they have come to her during likely one of the most challenging times in their lives. She listens carefully to a client’s goals and assists in developing a strategy to meet those goals by thoroughly applying the facts and circumstances of their case to the law. 

She graduated from Nazareth College of Rochester in Rochester, New York in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Mel earned her Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University School of Law in Valparaiso, Indiana in 2013. She was licensed to practice law in Illinois in 2013.

During law school, Mel clerked for the Honorable William E. Alexa of Porter County Superior Court #2 in Valparaiso, Indiana. She also served as an Associate Legal Intern for Thomson Reuters in Rochester, New York, and as a Law Clerk for the Illinois Association of School Boards. She earned Semester Honors, and the Honors A in Pre-Trial Skills during her time in law school.

In 2019, Mel was named the “Best of the Best” lawyer by the readers of the Daily Herald. Each year since, including 2022, she has been named a “Top Pick” for best lawyer by the readers of the Daily Herald, an honor she is incredibly grateful for.

Mel was recently named a Super Lawyer Rising Star for 2023. Super Lawyers recognizes no more than 5% of attorneys in each state, and to be designated a Rising Star, a lawyer must be either 40 years old or younger, or in practice for 10 years or less.

Outside of the practice of law, Mel serves on the Board of Directors for Options & Advocacy for McHenry County, an organization that serves infants, children, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is a fierce advocate for those with disabilities and hopes that through her advocacy, she can help to create a kinder and more inclusive world. 

Mel also currently serves as the Vice President of the Family Law Section of the McHenry County Bar Association, having previously served as the Secretary. 

Mel grew up in Upstate New York, but now calls McHenry County home with her husband, Kyle, their son, and their springerdoodle, Liberty.