Melanie Stephenson-Laws, Health Care Attorney in Glendale, California
Over 42 years of legal practice
Managing PartneratLaw Offices Of Stephenson Acquisto Colman
Glendale, CA
Practicing health care in Glendale since 1984.
- 42+
- Years practicing
- 3
- Bar admissions
Practices in
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Quick answer
Melanie Stephenson-Laws is a managing partner based in Glendale, CA. The practice focuses on Health Care. Melanie has over 42 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Law Offices Of Stephenson Acquisto Colman.
- Based in
- Glendale, CA
- Experience
- over 42 years
- Known for
- Health Care
- Handles Health Care matters from Glendale, CA.
- Over 42 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
About Melanie Stephenson-Laws: Melanie Stephenson-Laws is a managing partner based in Glendale, CA. The practice focuses on Health Care. Melanie has over 42 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Law Offices Of Stephenson Acquisto Colman.
Areas of practice
Legal matters Melanie takes on
Melanie concentrates on health care. Each area below outlines the kind of case Melanie handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Health Care cases in Glendale, California
Melanie takes health care matters in Glendale, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Melanie agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet Melanie Stephenson-Laws — health care lawyer in Glendale
Melanie Stephenson-Laws is a managing partner based in Glendale, CA. The practice focuses on Health Care. Melanie has over 42 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Law Offices Of Stephenson Acquisto Colman.
Joy Stephenson-Laws is founding and managing partner of Stephenson, Acquisto & Colman (SAC), the healthcare industry’s premier litigation firm. In this role, Ms. Stephenson-Laws leads a diverse team of more than 100 professionals that includes attorneys, doctors, nurses, technology and healthcare provider operations specialists. This interdisciplinary approach to representing clients such as Stanford Medical Center, UCLA Medical Center and UC Irvine Medical Center has resulted in SAC’s recovering more than $1 billion for its clients while consistently receiving high marks for client satisfaction for innovations such as SACLINK, a proprietary, interactive, paperless document management system.
Ms. Stephenson-Laws, who earned a Bachelor of Arts from Loma Linda University and a Juris Doctor from Loyola University, has spent her entire legal career addressing public benefit issues with a special emphasis on healthcare. Prior to starting her own firm in 1989, which was subsequently joined by Vince Acquisto and George Colman to form SAC, Ms. Stephenson-Laws was a staff attorney at the U.S Department of Health and Human Services. She was also a supervising attorney at Inland Counties Legal Services where she specialized in healthcare litigation. She is a member of the American Bar Association, Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles, California State Bar Association, U.S. District Court-Central/Eastern and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
In addition to her role with SAC, Ms. Stephenson-Laws is committed to enhancing consumer health and positively impacting the healthcare industry, and this goes beyond her work as a healthcare attorney. Both her professional and personal lives have been dedicated to improving healthcare in the United States through consumer education, advocacy for healthcare providers and starting a healthcare-related philanthropy to encourage others to get involved in their communities.
As part of this commitment, she co-founded The Bili Project Foundation, a nonprofit organization that drives funding and research for identifying markers of biliary cancers. The foundation’s goal is to more effectively diagnose and treat biliary cancers, which are the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. She is co-founder and president of MoJo Marketing & Media, a company dedicated to developing ways for individuals and companies to give back to their communities through sports and entertainment. She has also worked to introduce golf to inner city kids in Jamaica and is active in several local area philanthropies. Ms. Stephenson-Laws is an avid golfer, who also enjoys tennis and traveling.
How Melanie handles health care matters
Joy Stephenson-Laws is founding and managing partner of Stephenson, Acquisto & Colman (SAC), the healthcare industry’s premier litigation firm. In this role, Ms. Stephenson-Laws leads a diverse team of more than 100 professionals that includes attorneys, doctors, nurses, technology and healthcare provider operations specialists. This interdisciplinary approach to representing clients such as…
The kind of cases Melanie takes
Melanie reviews new inquiries case-by-case for health care matters in Glendale and the surrounding California area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
Loyola University
J.D. · 1983
Loma Linda University
B.A. · 1980
Jurisdictions
Melanie's state bar admissions
U.S. Court of Appeal
1984 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
1984 · ACTIVE
California
1984 · ACTIVE
Melanie studied at J.D. in Loyola University and B.A. in Loma Linda University.
Law school and academic background
Melanie completed J.D. in Loyola University and B.A. in Loma Linda University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Melanie runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Locations
Melanie Stephenson-Laws's office in Glendale
Melanie's primary office is at 500 North Brand Blvd., Suite 1450, Glendale, CA, 91203. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Law Offices Of Stephenson Acquisto Colman
500 North Brand Blvd., Suite 1450
Glendale, CA 91203
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Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire Melanie Stephenson-Laws — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new health care attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Melanie usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Melanie charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Melanie's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Melanie will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a health care attorney in Glendale, California
A short list to run through before you commit: How many health care matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Melanie
Melanie discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in health care practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every health care matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Melanie confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Melanie's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many health care practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Melanie Stephenson-Laws
How much does it cost to hire Melanie for a health care case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Melanie walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Melanie offer a free consultation?
Melanie charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Melanie's office. Some health care attorneys offer free consults — check Melanie's current terms during booking.
How long do health care cases in California typically take?
Simple health care matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Melanie gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Melanie take my case if I'm outside Glendale?
Melanie is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Melanie will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Melanie?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Melanie will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Melanie accepting new health care clients right now?
Melanie's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Health Care attorneys serving Glendale, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California
Melanie handles health care matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified health care attorneys in that community.
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If Melanie's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these health care attorneys in Glendale handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.
