Melanie J. Vartabedian

Litigation, Complex Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation

Melanie J. Vartabedian is an associate in the Litigation Department and a member of the Complex Commercial Litigation and Intellectual Property Litigation Groups. Her practice focuses on complex commercial litigation matters, including commercial contract and real estate disputes, securities litigation, and intellectual property litigation.

Ms. Vartabedian has litigated cases in state and federal courts across the country, and also has experience representing clients in arbitrations and government investigations. She represents real estate developers and private and public companies in a variety of business disputes relating to land use decisions. In addition, she has represented accounting firms and auditors in Securities and Exchange Commission investigations, and has worked on cases involving allegations of trademark infringement, achieving preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, seizure of infringing items, and other remedies.

Pro Bono Experience

Ms. Vartabedian has been recognized by the Utah State Bar and Utah Legal Services for her pro bono work, which includes:

• Representing Guatemalan human trafficking victims (2008-2009) 
• Acting as lead attorney and negotiating a favorable settlement for a disabled couple who lost their home to a predatory real estate company (2007) 
• Serving as a Violence Against Women Act volunteer and helping victims of domestic violence obtain naturalization (2006-2007)

Judicial Clerkships

Hon. Judith Billings, Presiding Judge, Utah Court of Appeals

Professional Activities

American Bar Association

Salt Lake County Bar Association

Utah Minority Bar Association, 2004-present

Women Lawyers of Utah
President-elect, 2009-present
Member (2004-present) and Board Member (2007-present)
Past Chair, Committee for the Initiative on the Advancement and Retention of Women Attorneys, a groundbreaking study on why legal employers are failing to advance and retain women attorneys, 2007-May 2009

Past volunteer, Young Lawyers Division, Community Service Division, 2004-2005

Recognition & Accomplishments

2010 recipient, Utah State Bar's Dorothy Merrill Brothers Award for the Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession

Publications

"Goodwin v. Turner & Gerber v. Hickman: Should Prisoners Have the Right to Procreate?" Journal of Law and Family Studies, 5.2 Edition

Speaking Engagements

"The Initiative on the Advancement and Retention of Women: Survey Results and Suggestions," Utah State Bar 2009 Summer Convention

"Retaining Good Lawyers: Lifestyle and Generational Issues," Utah State Bar Fall Forum 2009

Community Activities

Salt Lake Symphony, member of cello section, 2006-present

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D. 2004)
Note and Comment Editor, Journal of Law and Family Studies; Member, National Moot Court; Legal Writing Teaching Assistant

University of the Pacific (B.M. 2001, summa cum laude)

Utah 2004