Melanie is a Nebraska native, having grown up in Omaha, Nebraska. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nebraska in Political Science in 1985 and obtained her Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska College of Law in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1988.

Melanie worked as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Nebraska for fifteen years. During that time she practiced in a variety of areas, including: prosecution of disciplinary actions against licensed health professionals; criminal appeals; civil rights defense, tort defense, and employment discrimination defense. She currently practices in insurance defense, employment discrimination defense and general litigation. She is a member of the Nebraska and Lincoln Bar Associations, and an alumni member of the Robert Van Pelt Inns of Court. She is admitted to practice law in state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

Melanie is married to a native of Greece and has two children, a boy and a girl. Melanie enjoys reading, walking, traveling, and spending time with her family.