Luper Neidenthal & Logan
1200 LeVeque Tower
50 West Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215-3374
(800) 345-4079

Heather L. Melick

Heather is an accomplished trial attorney. While serving in the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps, Heather represented the United States in over twenty (20) federal jury trials (courts-martial), acted as criminal defense counsel in six (6) jury trials, defended the United States in Equal Employment Opportunity hearings, defended the United States against contractor GAO protests, and represented the United States in dozens of other administrative and criminal actions. Heather served 4 1/2 years of active duty, and 3 1/2 years of Individual Ready Reserve (attaining the rank of Major while on IRR).

Fortunately, the United States Air Force’s unparalleled ability to turn out leaders with a unique skill set that transcends military life made Heather’s transition from the practice of law in the military to the practice of law in the civilian/corporate world nearly seamless. Based upon that experience, Heather was hired by Arter & Hadden/Tucker Ellis & West (TEW) upon completion of her commitment to the Air Force. While at TEW, Heather focused her practice in the area of products liability, and, more specifically, pharmaceutical and medical device defense. That representation included defense of a Fortune 500 pharmaceutical company during an FDA recall of a major product. Later, and based upon her leadership skills, Heather led her firm’s defense transition team through the acquisition, integration, and defense of thousands of mass toxic tort cases acquired from other defense firms, with cases pending in 32 states.

Heather graduated from Wittenberg University, cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, in 1994. She received her juris doctor from the Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1997.

 Awards and Honors:

• DoD David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award
• Albert M. Kuhfeld Outstanding Judge Advocate Award for AMC & 21st AF
• 437th Airlift Wing Senior Company Grade Officer of the Year
• AF Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
• Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster
• Defense Service Medal
• Graduate Air Force Squadron Officer School

Education:

• Case Western Reserve University School of Law, J.D., Cleveland, Ohio, 1997
• Wittenberg University, B.A., Springfield, Ohio, (cum laude & Phi Beta Kappa), 1994

Bar Admissions:

• Cleveland Bar Association 2004 – Present
• Columbus Bar Association 2007 – Present

Professional Associations & Memberships:

• Supreme Court of Ohio 1997 – Present
• United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces 1998 – Present
• United States Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals 1998 – Present
• United States District Court, N.D. of Ohio 2002 – Present
• United States District Court, S.D. of Ohio 2007 – Present