Melanie E. Peters

I lead with compassion, knowledge, and a deep commitment to my clients. Over my almost 15 years of practicing exclusively family law, I have learned that the practice of family law is really about communicating clearly and effectively through conflict and using what you learn to create solutions for complex problems. This is true both in realm of premarital financial planning, where the goal is to have an uncomfortable conversation in the present to avoid problems in the future, and in navigating a client’s post separation circumstances. I derive a lot of satisfaction from gathering information to help clients develop real world solutions to their most pressing issues, both inside and outside of the courtroom. As a young mother myself, I understand what is at stake for parents and families as they navigate this process.

I’ve competed with horses for 30+ years. The hunter discipline, which is a uniquely American discipline, is where you and your horse navigate a course of obstacles and are judged on the horse's style. Having been a part of the equestrian community since I was a small child, I have a native understanding of the complexities that arise when members of this community face divorce and custody issues.

While I have lived in the south and the west, I am a native Washingtonian – meaning that I was actually born in Washington D.C. I moved to Roanoke in 2013 when I graduated from law school. My experience living all over the country makes me perfectly suited to represent people with all sorts of backgrounds, interests, and holdings. While domestic relations practice is predominantly a creature of state law, given the realities of modern life and the ease with which people travel, parent, and do business across the county, my connections across the United States give me a deep bench of resources from which to pull when handling matters where there may be interests and issues outside of Virginia.

I spent my formative years at the Holton-Arms School, an environment built to challenge young women to think boldly and lead responsibly. It was there that I learned not only to pursue knowledge, but to use it in service of something greater than myself. These lessons are particularly applicable to the representation of clients in domestic relations matters, as I am working both to discover the facts that are most helpful to my client and to present those facts in a way that is most effective to achieve their goals. I completed my undergraduate education at Sewanee. Sewanee and the Roanoke Valley share deep regional ties, and community connections, as both are prominent hubs for Appalachian culture, liberal arts tradition, and stunning mountain landscapes. I love to be outside and draw meaning and energy from animals and the outdoors.