The Derbes Law Firm, LLC

Melanie M. Mulcahy

Education:

  • Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert School of Law, J.D., 1999
  • Newcomb College of Tulane University, B.A., 1994

Bar Admissions:

  • Louisiana State Bar Association, 2000
  • United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 2004
  • United State District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, 2004
  • United State District Court, Middle District of Louisiana, 2004
  • United State District Court, Western District of Louisiana, 2004

Legal Organizations:

  • Member, Louisiana State Bar Association
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Federal Bar Association
  • Member, Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit
  • Member, Jefferson Bar Association
  • Member, New Orleans Bar Association
  • Council Immediate Past Chair, Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, June 2010 – June 2011
  • Council Chair, Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, June 2009 – June 2010
  • Council Chair-Elect, Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, June 2008 – June 2009
  • Council Secretary, Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, June 2007 – June 2008
  • Council District 2 Representative, Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, June 2004 – June 2007
  • Council District 4 Representative, Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, June 2003 – June 2004
  • Disaster Relief Committee Chair, Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, June 2001 – August 2003
  • American Bar Association/Young Lawyers Division Representative, Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, June 2001 – August 2003
  • Senior Lawyers Committee Member, Louisiana State Bar Association, June 2010 – June 2011
  • Board of Governors Member, Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, June 2009 – June 2010
  • Budget Committee Member, Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, June 2008 – June 2009
  • Board Member, Louisiana Bar Foundation, June 2010 – June 2011
  • Young Alumni, Leadership Council, Inaugural Class, Louisiana State University Law School, September 2007 – April 2010
  • Council Member, Louisiana Law Institute, June 2002 – June 2005; June 2009 – June 2010
  • Louisiana Young Lawyer Delegate to the American Bar Association House of Delegates, Feb. 2003 – June 2005
  • Disaster Relief Assistant Coordinator, American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, August 2003 – August 2004
  • The Affiliate Associate Editor, American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, August 2003 – August 2004
  • Assistant Council Coordinator, American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, August 2002 – August 2003
  • District 14 (Louisiana) Representative, American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, June 2001- August 2003

 CLE Authored and Instructed:

  • “Negotiating Indemnification, Reps, Warranties, and More in Business Contracts,” (National Business Institute (NBI), December, 2019)
  • “Professionalism: Past, Present & Future – What Can We Do?,”  (New Orleans Bar Association, Procrastinator’s Programs, December, 2018)
  • “Business Law: Start to Finish, Forming Limited Liability Companies, Preparing Common Business Contracts,” (National Business Institute (NBI), June 2017)
  • “Analyzing the Boilerplate or Miscellaneous Clauses in Contracts,” (New Orleans Bar Association, Procrastinators’ Programs, December 2016)
  • “Buying ad Selling Businesses CLE- Business Sale Agreements and the Closing,” (New Orleans Bar Association, 2015)
  • “Preventing Business Contract Disputes,” (National Business Institute (NBI), 2016)
  • “The Procrastinator’s Guide to the Business Corporation Act of 2015,” (New Orleans Bar Association Procrastinators’ Programs, December, 2015)
  • “Title 12 (Entity Law) Revisions: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly,” (Jefferson Bar Association CLE by the Sea, 2015)
  • “The Relationship between Bankruptcy and Construction Law,” (New Orleans Bar Association Procrastinators’ Programs, 2014)
  • “Women in the Profession” (Professionalism, Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel 2011 Sizzlin’ Summer Seminar, 2011)
  • “Superwomen: Female Attorneys Mastering the Game and the Strategies that Rule – Mastering Assertiveness Without Conjuring Your Inner Witch” (Professionalism, Louisiana State Bar Association, 2011)
  • “Choice of Entity, LLC, and Beyond,” (Jefferson Bar Association, 23rd Annual CLE by the Sea, 2010) [with Albert J. Derbes, IV]
  • “Limited Liability Companies,” (NBI, 2008)
  • “Limited Liability Companies in Louisiana,” (NBI, 2007)
  • “Practicing Law: The Early Years – Ethics: Dilemmas and Solutions for the Young Lawyer,” (Ethics, Louisiana State Bar Association, 2007)

Significant Transactions:

  • Sale of Orpheum Theater, February, 2014

Reported Cases:

  • Succession of Dean, 2017-0155 (La. App. 1 Cir. 3/29/18), So. 3d 746, writ denied, 2018-00679 (La. 9/14/18), 252 So. 3d 479
  • Block v. Bernard, Cassisa, Elliot & Davis, 2004-1893 (La. App. 1 Cir. 11/4/05), 927 So. 2d 339
  • Barnes v. Barnes, 08-492 (La. App. 5 Cir. 1/13/09), 8 So. 3d 628 (La. Ct. App.) writ denied, 2009-0327 (La. 4/3/09), 6 So. 3d 776.
  • In re Martinez, 564 F.3d 719 (5th Cir. 2009).

Professional Certifications:

  • LSBA ADR Civil Mediator Registry, 2019
  • Louisiana Notary Public, 2000

Media:

  • “Off the Clock”, City Business feature, February 15, 2010.

Personal:

  • Born in Houma, LA