Faculty Feature - Meet Professor Melanie Perez-Vellios
Professor Melanie Perez-Vellios is the Associate Director of Intro to Lawyering and
serves Fellows in the LEO program. Prior to joining Seton Hall Law, Professor Perez-Vellios was Of Counsel to a mid-size
New Jersey law firm specializing in employment and education law. Professor Perez-Vellios
previously served as a contributing author for the launch of XpertHR, a database for
human resource professionals focused on federal and state employment law compliance,
and best practices for employers. Following graduation from law school, Professor
Perez-Vellios was an Associate at Reed Smith LLP.
“I facilitate and develop an academically rigorous legal practice program, challenging
students to work beyond perceived limitations and promoting continued intellectual
growth. My pedagogical focus centers on joint productive activity and discourse, maximizing
learning in an open, collaborative, and stimulating environment,” explains Professor
Perez-Vellios, aiming to use her practice experience to teach fundamental legal writing
and analysis skills, professional habits, and interpersonal skills vital for success
in the legal profession. “My hope is to develop students into future attorneys who
are dynamic thinkers possessing high professional standards and a strong work ethic,
and who are compassionate about their contributions to the legal profession and the
greater good.”