About Us

We are pleased to welcome Melinda Derish, M.D., J.D., as the newest member of our team. A gifted pediatrician with over fifteen years of experience at a preeminent children's hospital, Melinda joins us having recently graduated from U.C.Berkeley's Boalt Hall School of Law.

Melinda obtained her undergraduate degree at the University of California Berkeley, and thereafter attended medical school at the University of California San Diego. After medical school Melinda completed her internship, residency, and a two year pediatric critical care fellowship at Stanford University. Beginning in 1991, Melinda served as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the division of critical care at Stanford. She held this position until 1999.

In 2000, Melinda began her legal studies at Boalt, graduating in 2003. While there, she was the recipient of numerous honors, including the Prosser Award in advanced legal research, and the Moot Court Advocacy Award.

Melinda is a published author in both of her chosen professions. In the medical area she has co-authored articles in peer review journals including The Journal of Pediatrics and Pediatric Pulmonology. She is also the author of three chapters in Nelson's Text Book of Pediatrics, 16th Ed., published by W.B. Saunders (2000).

Her scholarly publications in the field of law include Mature Minors Should Have the Right to Refuse Life-Sustaining Medical Treatment published in the Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics.

While Melinda's practice is not limited to medical negligence claims, or cases involving children, it goes without saying that her special training, background and expertise in pulmonary and critical care make her particularly qualified to assist in the representation of clients afflicted with ARDS, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and other lung disorders.

Melinda is available to consult with our associate counsel and referring attorneys in all types of medical negligence, drug and device, elder abuse, and hospital-based negligence claims.

Medical Malpractice
Medical Devices
Aviation Accidents
Injuries to Children
Birth Injuries
Cerebral Palsy
Uterine Rupture
Labor & Delivery Negligence

Areas of Practice

• Elder Abuse
• Medical Negligence
• Drug and Device
• Hospital-based Negligence Claims

Education

• Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, Berkeley, California, 2003
  J.D.
  Honors: Prosser Award in advanced legal research
  Honors: Moot Court Advocacy Award
  
  
• University of California Berkeley
  
  
• University of California San Diego Medical School