Ashley W. Edwards

Walzer Melcher LLP is one of the most respected family law firms in California with a national reputation for providing the highest level of service to our clients. Walzer Melcher LLP has handled some of the largest divorce cases and premarital agreements in California, representing extremely wealthy individuals, such as business owners, celebrities, and executives. We handle complex matters relating to divorce, community property, alimony, palimony, child custody, child support, visitation, family law appeals, premarital agreements, postnuptial agreements, paternity, parentage, and international matters.

Representing landlords and property management companies of both residential and commercial properties in various aspects of landlord-tenant and real estate law Effectively analyzing statutes, local rent control ordinances, case law, and factual data in order to provide creative and cost-efficient case strategy and legal advice to clients Handling all aspects of civil litigation, including client intake, pretrial discovery, negotiating settlements, drafting motions, oppositions, trial briefs, and ex parte applications Successfully representing clients in bench trials and pre/post trial motions

Delegated assignments and supervised the legal work of eight law clerks for one of the largest personal injury firms in Pennsylvania, including its four branch offices Drafted motions, supportive briefs, and jury instructions for the state trial and appellate courts Summarized depositions of experts, factual witnesses, and medical examinations Performed legal research and drafted memoranda for personal injury cases, including insurance coverage disputes

Developed curriculum and taught constitutional law and civil rights to high school students Coached students for national moot court competition

Supported a non-profit law firm specializing in class action litigation to protect and expand civil rights Drafted motions and appellate briefs to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Developed deposition strategy and prepared exhibits for depositions with staff attorneys Performed legal research and drafted research memoranda on civil rights issues, including special education funding and prisoners’ rights Conducted client interviews for low-income tenant claims involving rental agreements

Designed college access/success program, increasing first-year student retention rate by 45% in on academic year Formalized sustainable partnerships with community and technical colleges to successfully transition underprivileged student to post-secondary education Wrote and received grant for Mentoring Alliance Program ($45,000) Recipient of the 2010 AmeriCorps Outstanding Community Service Project Award

Negotiated and drafted contracts between talent agencies and the university Oversaw planning and execution of 250+ campus events per year with a $600,000 annual budget

Organized weekly Senate Judiciary Committee meetings Researched and collaborated with staff attorneys on bill revisions