Stephanie, owner of Melnick & Melnick, S.C. and self-described law nerd (she attended former New Orleans mayor’s bribery and fraud trial while on vacation, for fun), has been practicing law for over 25 years. Stephanie loves taking a deep dive into clients’ businesses to learn what makes them tick. She also relishes a well-written (short and simple) contract and is pleased to draft and negotiate all kinds, including leases, operating agreements, and terms of service.

Protecting clients’ clever brands, logos, and slogans also gives Stephanie a charge (#legalnerd). She identifies what trademarks should and can be registered and monitors and enforces registered trademarks. (Why enforce your trademark to avoid it becoming a household name? Check out Velcro’s cheeky video.) Writing cease and desist letters fills Stephanie’s heart with joy. Brand protection is so important to Stephanie that we host She Stands Tall® events about trademarks, registration and enforcement. She Stands Tall® is itself a registered trademark, of course.

In her spare time, Stephanie helps entrepreneurs do their thing, serving on the board of Local First Milwaukee and as a volunteer and supporter of WWBIC and BizStarts, organizations committed to entrepreneurs. The #legalnerd thing extends to writing, too. Stephanie has written for various publications, including the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Wisconsin Lawyer, and is a monthly contributor to the BizStart’s blog.

In her off time, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her husband and three teen and twenty-something daughters. She’s also something of a crazy cat lady—just compare the photo counts in her office—kids vs. cats.