UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law is proud to announce that Melissa Lynn Davis, Clinical Associate Professor and Director of the Criminal Practice Clinic, has been inducted into the American College for Trial Lawyers (ACTL) one of the of the premier legal associations in North America.
The induction ceremony at which Professor/Attorney Davis became a Fellow took place recently before an audience of approximately 625 during the recent Spring Meeting of the College in Phoenix, Arizona.
Founded in 1950, the College is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only and only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds, who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Lawyers must have a minimum of fifteen years trial experience before they can be considered for Fellowship.
Melissa Davis lives in Plymouth, NH with her husband, Andy Colter, and her dog, Otis.
Membership in the College cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province. There are currently approximately 5,800 members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, including active Fellows, Emeritus Fellows, Judicial Fellows (those who ascended to the bench after their induction) and Honorary Fellows. The College maintains and seeks to improve the standards of trial practice, professionalism, ethics, and the administration of justice through education and public statements on independence of the judiciary, trial by jury, respect for the rule of law, access to justice, and fair and just representation of all parties to legal proceedings. The College is thus able to speak with a balanced voice on important issues affecting the legal profession and the administration of justice.
Professor/Attorney Davis has been teaching at UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law and practicing in the law school’s clinic since 2020. Prior to joining UNH, she was an attorney with the New Hampshire Public Defender Program for 15 years. She is an alumna of American University, Washington College of Law and the University of California, Santa Barbara.
