Melissa included in The Best Lawyers in America for 2023

Melissa was included in The Best Lawyers in America for 2023, released on August 18, 2022.

"Best Lawyers awards are compiled by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which tens of thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. The 29^th edition of The Best Lawyers in America recognizes only the top 5.3% of elite lawyers in the nation across 150 practice areas."

Melissa quoted by the Associated Press

On April 22, 2022, Melissa was quoted by the Associated Press about the recent case of a California father who is seeking the return of his child from Ukraine. The child and mother relocated from Ukraine to Russia, further complicating legal remedies. You can read the article here.

Melissa interviewed by Washington Post

Melissa was interviewed by the Washington Post about the Hague Child Abduction Convention and its applicability in a recent case where a California father alleged that his son was removed from California and taken to Ukraine by the child's mother. There have been ongoing proceedings in California and Ukraine.

Melissa Co-Chairs International Family Law Conference

Melissa is the primary organizer and co-chair of a full day conference on advanced international family law issues on April 26, 2022. The conference is sponsored by the American Bar Association, and hosted by Sidley Austin in Washington, D.C. The topics include panels on foreign marital property regimes and prenuptial agreements, diplomatic immunity in family law cases, tax and financial planning for high net worth international clients, and employee benefits for international organization workers and their disposition at divorce. Melissa hand selected the topics, speakers, and has been integral in organizing the entire day's events for the ABA.

Melissa listed in Washingtonian's Top Divorce Lawyers

Melissa was listed among the D.C. area's top family law attorneys in the Washingtonian Magazine's December 2021 ranking. She is one of only 17 lawyers in the city who are listed. She is the only lawyer who focuses her practice on international divorces and custody disputes on the list. The Washingtonian ranks family lawyers annually.

Melissa Honored to Present for Hague Child Protection Anniversary

Melissa has been invited to speak at the 25th anniversary celebration for the Hague Child Protection Convention. The Child Protection Convention is a multilateral treaty covering a broad range of civil measures to protect children in cross-border situations. The United States signed this treaty in 2010, but has not yet ratified it. Melissa sat as an observer on the Uniform Law Commission's Drafting Committee, which updated the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act which would implement this treaty, when ratified, at the state level in the United States. You can view Melissa's presentation on the Hague Conference's YouTube channel here.

Melissa elected to Board of Governors of IAFL

On Friday, September 17, 2021, Melissa was elected to the Board of Governors of the International Academy of Family Lawyers. Her term begins at the conclusion of the organization's meeting in February 2022. The IAFL is an organization of skilled professionals that work to improve the administration of justice in family law throughout the world. IAFL membership is by invitation only and after a rigorous application process. Melissa was invited to be a fellow of the IAFL in March 2017, and has actively served on its Dispute Resolution committee since that time.

Melissa honored by Best Lawyers

Melissa is honored to be named by Best Lawyers as a top Family Lawyer in Washington, D.C. and among the Women in the Law for 2021. Recognition by Best Lawyers is entirely peer review.

Melissa honored by D.C. Superlawyers

Melissa was named one among the top 50 women lawyers in D.C., and among the top 100 lawyers in D.C. in this past weekend's Washington Post. "Every year, Super Lawyers evaluates lawyers across the country for its annual list of top attorneys. Each candidate is measured against 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Nominees from more than 70 practice areas are considered. The patented multiphase selection process is rigorous and methodical. The Top Lists ... take exclusivity one step further by featuring selected Super Lawyers attorneys with the most total points earned."

MK Family Law ranked in US News - Best Lawyers

MK Family Law has been ranked as a top tier law firm in the U.S. News - Best Lawyers annual ranking for regional firms in the practice area of Family Law.

Melissa named in Best Lawyers ranking in Family Law

Congratulations to Melissa Kucinski, who was ranked in the 27th Edition of the Best Lawyers in America in the field of Family Law. Recognition in the Best Lawyers ranking is based entirely on peer review.