Principled Advocacy For Families And Individuals With Disabilities And The Professionals Who Serve Them

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Melissa Ludington

  • Attorney

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Biography

Melissa Ludington joined Monahan Law Group, LLC on January 31, 2022.

Ms. Ludington concentrates her practice on guardianships, mental health, child welfare and adoption-related matters.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and attorney, Ms. Ludington brings a unique perspective to her legal work. Having served as a child welfare administrator, she has a distinctive lens in which to view personnel issues, policy concerns and an intimate knowledge of the child welfare system in Illinois. Melissa has managed and supervised large numbers of employees and brings her prowess to bear on issues relevant to professionals in private practice.

Before attending law school, Ms. Ludington spent twenty years in the Illinois child welfare system. She worked directly with, and on behalf of, vulnerable adults and minors. Ms. Ludington has experience in both the government and non-profit sectors, often working in partnership among these entities.

Ms. Ludington received her J.D. for Loyola University Chicago School of Law where she received a Certificate in Public Interest Law. She received her Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish from Washington University. Ms. Ludington serves as Adjunct Faculty at the UIC Jane Addams College of Social Work, most recently teaching Social Work and the Law. Ms. Ludington is professionally proficient in Spanish.

Practice Areas

  • Decedent’s Estates
  • Guardianship
  • Mental Health
  • Child Welfare and Adoption

Education

  • Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Illinois
    • Juris Doctor
    • Major: Certificate in Public Interest Law
  • Washington University
    • Bachelor of Arts
    • Major: Political Science
    • Major: Spanish
  • University of Illinois at Chicago
    • Master of Social Work

Bar Admission

  • Illinois

Published Works

Classes & Seminars

  • Adjunct Professor, UIC Jane Addams College of Social Work, 2016 - present

Pro-Bono Activities

  • Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, 2021 – present
  • Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, Volunteer Advocate, 2022 – present

Professional Associations

  • Chicago Bar Association, 2017 – present
  • Illinois State Bar Association, 2017 – present
  • National Association of Social Workers, 1997 – present

Languages

  • Spanish