Commercial litigation and appellate representation with unique strategy perspective
Melanie Kalmanson focuses on commercial litigation, representing businesses and individuals in all phases of litigation in state and federal court. Her practice focuses on construction and real estate litigation disputes, in which she represents contractors, manufacturers, subcontractors and other sophisticated parties. She handles a variety of disputes, including:
- Real estate and contract disputes
- Construction matters
- Business tort actions
- Motor vehicle-related matters
As a former Florida Supreme Court law clerk, Melanie has an invaluable understanding of the appellate process and a unique perspective on strategies to best assist clients at each level of the litigation process. She takes a pragmatic approach toward every dispute to obtain the best available outcomes while managing risk efficiently and effectively.
Melanie is vice chair of the Real Estate and Construction Litigation Subgroup.
Experience in Action
- Advising on construction disputes, including construction liens, contract disputes and construction defect litigation.
- Representing financial institutions and loan servicers in matters at both the trial and appellate levels, including foreclosure disputes and loan enforcement actions in state and federal court.
- Representing motor vehicle manufacturers in franchise-related matters.
Successes
- Represented a limited partnership and current partner against a former partner and manager for breach of fiduciary duty, conversion and money lent, and defended claims to rescind and expand terms of a buy-out agreement.
- Represented national manufacturer of recreational vehicles in state and federal court against claims arising under the Magnusson-Moss Warranty Improvement Act, including enforcement of forum selection clauses.
Capabilities
Professional Recognitions
- The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division “36 Under 36 Professionalism Award” (2025)
- Gonring Pro Bono Award Recipient (2023)
- Best Lawyers in America® "Ones to Watch" (2022-present: Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation)
- Florida Super Lawyers® "Rising Stars" (2023: Business Litigation, 2024: Business/Corporations)
Professional & Civic Activities
- American Law Institute (ALI), member
- ABA Death Penalty Representation Project, Steering Committee, member
- Franchise Law Journal, topic and article editor
- FSU College of Law Raising the Bar Professionalism Program, Alumni Advisory Board, member
- Eleventh Circuit Historical Society, member
- Hillsborough County Bar Association, member
- Florida Supreme Court Historical Society, board of trustees (2019-2023)
- Executive Committee, secretary
- Publications Committee, chair (2019-2022)
- Chester Bedell American Inn of Court, member (2021-2022)
- First District Court of Appeal Inn of Court, alumni member
- Legal Aid Foundation of Tallahassee Thunderdome Class 6
Commitment to Pro Bono
Dating to her days as a law clerk on the Florida Supreme Court, Melanie has witnessed first-hand the difference proper representation can make in addressing the justice gap. You can hear more in this video about why doing pro bono work is so important to her.
News & Insights
- News Release
- News Release
- Winter 2024ArticleFranchise Law Journal (43:1)
- News Release
- News Release
- Media Mention
- News Release
- News Release
- Media Mention
- News Release
- Newsletter
- Media Mention
- News Release
- News Release
- Article
- News Release
- SeminarHillsborough County Bar Association
- Article
- Newsletter
- News Release
- Article
- News Release
- News Release
- Webinar
- Media Mention
- ArticleFederal Litigation Section of the Federal Bar Association (Winter 2023)
- Webinar
- Article
- Article
- News Release
- Article
- WebinarQuarles & Brady Webinar
- Newsletter
- News Release
- Winter 2022ArticleThe Historical Society of The U.S. Courts in The Eleventh Circuit, Volume XIX, Number 2
- ArticleThe 2020 Eleventh Circuit Issue Highlights Arbitration in the Eleventh CircuitEleventh Circuit Historical News
- ArticleUniversity of Miami Law Review’s 2019 Eleventh Circuit IssueEleventh Circuit Historical News
- ArticleSomewhere Between Death Row and Death Watch: The Procedural Trap Capital Defendants Face in Raising Execution-Related Claims5 U. Pa. J.L. & Pub. Affairs
- ArticleSteps Toward Abolishing Capital Punishment: Incrementalism in the American Death Penalty28 Wm. & Mary Bill of Rights J. 587 (2020)
- ArticleThe Federal Advantage: Why Today’s Polarized Politics Pose the Greatest Threat to State Courts12 Elon L. Rev. 255
- Article10 Years of Miami Law Review’s Eleventh Circuit IssueEleventh Circuit Historical News
- ArticleCourt Review, Volume 55
- Article[A] History [Of Discrimination] Only Goes So Far [in Equal Protection Litigation]45 Fla. St. U.L. Rev. (2018) (Online)
- Filling the Gap of Domestic Violence Protection: Returning Human Rights to U.S. Victims43 Fla. St. U.L. Rev. 1359
Education
- Florida State University College of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2016)
- Florida State University Law Review, executive editor
- Order of the Coif
- Florida State University (B.S., cum laude, 2013)
Bar Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Florida
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida