Woman-owned law firm dedicated to supporting small business owners
We believe in the power of entrepreneurs
Feel like you have an in-house attorney on a small business budget
Our clients are entrepreneurs, creatives, professionals, and artists running businesses in Wisconsin and beyond. We tap our legal expertise and practical experience to draft contracts, protect your intellectual property, and resolve disputes.
We manage the legal to give you peace of mind that your business and interests are protected.
Our Fees Are Designed for You
Transparency is paramount to us. We know that small businesses have limited budgets and that small business legal services are not one-size-fits-all.
We offer multiple pricing options—hourly billing, flat fees, and monthly legal subscriptions —to meet your unique and changing needs and budget.
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"Being a woman in the world is hard. Being a small business owner is hard. We are so grateful for the services of Melnick & Melnick, S.C., a law firm that truly understands the unique challenges women face in entrepreneurship. Melnick’s expert legal team is not only incredibly knowledgeable, but also deeply passionate about empowering women through She Stands Tall. They provide invaluable resources, host inspiring workshops, and connect their clients to a broader network of women leaders. They’re not just lawyers, they’re partners in our success. If you’re a woman looking to build, grow, or protect your business, seriously look no further. We cannot recommend enough."
Dana Spandet, Flour Girl & Flame LLC
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"What I value most about Melnick & Melnick, S.C. is that it’s a firm run and owned by women—a fact that truly sets them apart. As a Black, female entrepreneur, I often find myself in spaces where I feel misunderstood or out of place. That can be intimidating, but the Melnick team creates an environment of empathy and unwavering support from the start. That said, don’t be fooled by their kindness—they are fierce advocates who will fight tooth and nail for you at every twist and turn. Their blend of compassion and tenacity makes them an invaluable partner for any business."
Lalese Stamps, owner of Lolly Lolly Ceramics
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"This firm is run with sincere honesty and integrity. By the time we resolved our case, Stephanie and Sarah felt like family. They were so easy to work with and always offered the best advice and direction. We were amazed with each draft and deposition's detail and professionalism. They really worked hard to get us the result we were looking for. We were definitely happy we chose Melnick & Melnick, S.C. to fight our case!"
John & Pam Paul, owners of John's Small Engine Repair, LLC
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"We love the legal subscription model because knowing the cost up-front allows us to easily budget and plan ahead. Having this monthly cost also encourages us to reach out and ask for more help whereas before we may not have because of the cost. This style of subscription is more preventative, which makes a lot more sense. Don't wait until you're in legal trouble to seek out a lawyer. Setting this up will help you make the best decisions for your business and help ensure that you'll always come out confident and protected!"
Mara Natkin and Gloria Ramirez, owners of Artery Ink, LLC
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“I am so grateful for the expertise and counsel provided by Melnick & Melnick, S.C. when it came to helping me obtain my Trademarks. I attempted to navigate this process on my own with an online service and apparently ended up with something quite useless to what I actually do in business. This time, I was able to pay for exactly what I needed and the entire process was managed for me.”
Jamie Shibley, owner of The Expressory
Let’s get to know each other!
Book a free exploratory call with our team and ask us all your initial questions about working together.
What’s New
The USPTO is no longer offering two filing options (the TEAS Plus and TEAS Standard filing options) and instead only offers a single base application carrying a fee of $350 per class for most trademark applications.
As of March 26, 2025, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) suspended the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirement for all entities created in the United States.
Attorney Stephanie Melnick has dedicated her career to empowering women entrepreneurs. Now, the Wisconsin Law Journal is recognizing Melnick for her work.
Relationship disputes and contract breaches are part of doing business. Here are our suggestions, with increasing levels of conflict and expense, for how to address and resolve business disagreements.
Wondering whether you're using a trademark that could be protected by a federal registration? See the categories of marks recognized by the United States Patent and Trademark Office as well as a list of some to avoid, plus examples.
Social media is a great way to build your brand, connect with customers, and share your message. But social media sites can be a free-for-all for your business’s intellectual property (e.g., trademarks and copyrighted materials), if you’re not careful.
Small business owners wear lots of hats and solopreneurs wear all the hats. But rather than guess or Google what you don’t know, add a trusted lawyer to your team. Here’s why you need one.
Whether you’ve been in business for years, are just starting out, or are building your side hustle, operating as a limited liability company (LLC) makes sense (and cents/dollars) for at least five reasons.
An LLC is a popular tool for small businesses for lots of good reasons. But DIYing an operating agreement from various online sources is risky since it’ll be maybe enforceable, maybe what you actually want and need, and maybe complete.
Your potential client loves your work and wants to hire you. Now what? You need a customized client services agreement that clearly identifies the work you’ll perform, your client’s obligations, and the limits of your liability in case the business relationship goes south.
Wisconsin updated its laws related to limited liability companies and other entities effective on January 1, 2023. The new Wisconsin Uniform Limited Liability Company Law (the “New LLC Law”) incorporated major changes to LLC law.
Picking a name for your business is often the first thing small business owners tackle. But despite their efforts to be different, clever, and expressive, we’ve seen some avoidable missteps.
Business owners and managers encounter contracts—varying in type, purpose, and complexity—daily. The finer points of how contracts are formed, what the essential provisions are, and when a breach excuses performance are legal questions; but, the answers vary depending on each fact-driven scenario.
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), effective January 1, 2024, imposes reporting requirements on small businesses, their owners, and those involved in creating LLCs, corporations, and other small businesses.
Supporting Women Entrepreneurs
As a woman-owned law firm, we created She Stands Tall, a community of fellow women business owners to support and encourage personal growth and professional development.