Attorney Melanie Shapiro started the practice in 2014. She has always been passionate about human rights and helping others.   During her college years, she advocated for LGBTQ rights and worked to combat sex trafficking.  At 19, she co-founded an anti-human trafficking organization and led bipartisan coalitions to effectuate policy and legal changes.

She attended Roger Williams University School of Law, where she was a Public Interest Scholar.

After her first year, Attorney Shapiro spent several months in Washington, D.C., continuing her human rights advocacy on issues such as human trafficking, sexual violence, religious freedom, women’s rights, and protection of pro-democracy fighters in other countries. She worked closely with prominent political figures and coalitions.

From her second year of law school until graduation, she worked in the law school’s immigration clinic, gaining invaluable experience and continuing to build Spanish fluency. During this time, she worked on a variety of cases, but one in particular stood out– special immigrant juvenile status for a teenage Mayan boy. After months of building trust, he opened up about the severe abuse he, his mother, and their animals endured, and she was able to secure immigration protections ensuring that he would remain safe in the United States.

During her time working in the clinic, she realized she wanted to provide legal services in an individualized and meaningful way.  The idea of “holistic, compassionate lawyering” was born.  Attorney Shapiro then decided to take the experience she’d gained during that time and open a practice where she could practice law with this mission in mind, in an individualized, trauma-informed way, looking at clients not just as a file number, but a whole person.

In 2014, Attorney Shapiro opened up as a sole practitioner in Dedham. Now her office is located in Westwood, and she is supported by a wonderful team of professionals. The Law Office of Melanie Shapiro, LLC continues its mission and is proud to have served individuals from over 100 countries.

The holistic part of our mission means that we are looking at our clients’ immediate legal needs as well as any ancillary issues – medical, mental health, housing stability, relationships- to treat the person as a whole. We partner with organizations and a network of professionals to meet our clients’ needs.

Attorney Shapiro aims to foster a sense of safety and community for clients.