Kari Melkonian

Kari Melkonian is a seasoned attorney with substantial experience in all phases of litigation, including discovery, dispositive motion practice and trial. She has represented corporate entities and individuals in complex high-exposure cases involving negligence, intentional tort, product liability, wrongful death, construction defect, malpractice and civil rights claims. Kari previously served as a court clerk and judicial staff attorney in the Oakland County Circuit Court where she was involved in researching and writing opinions on various civil, criminal and domestic relations matters. Kari attended college and law school at night while working full-time in the Oakland County Circuit Court.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, with a concentration in Criminal Justice, from Oakland University. She earned her Juris Doctor in 2008 from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, where she served as a published author of the school's law review. Kari is an executive board member of the Oakland County Bar Association (OCBA) and past chair of the Circuit Court and Criminal Law Committees. She received the OCBA Distinguished Service Award in 2020.

Kari has served as a mentor to new and aspiring lawyers throughout her career and frequently participates in seminars and presentations geared towards educating newer members of the bar. She also networks with various animal rescue organizations to find placements for homeless, abandoned and abused pets. In her free time, Kari enjoys traveling to the Upper Peninsula, hiking, golfing, boxing and spending time with friends, family and her rescue dogs. She's a life-long Detroit Lions fan, and attends as many games as possible.