BOARD: Melisa "Mel" Leal

Mel is an attorney in Austin with her own firm focused on Child Welfare law and general transactional work. Prior to beginning her own practice, she worked for law firms in Austin practicing transactional work in the areas of public finance, water and real estate matters. Mel began her professional career in local government management with the City of Waco and the City of Grapevine. Mel earned her law degree from University of Texas School of Law. Mel also earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Kansas and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Finance/Management) from Trinity University. Mel sits on the Board of Girls on the Run Austin (GOTR) (since 2012). She has been active in and was on the Board of the Court Appointed Family Advocates (CAFA) for the past 5 years. Mel is passionate about helping children but especially inspiring young girls to become confident, educated and independent women. She looks forward to applying her experience in child welfare and her energy to the Friends of the Children Board.