Calder Mellino is an experienced attorney who provides caring, client-focused representation. Inspired by his father, Christopher Mellino, founder of The Mellino Law Firm, Calder began his legal practice with the desire to help people in a meaningful way. When assisting clients of the firm, Calder makes it his mission to serve as a navigator, working to uncover the truth and seek justice on behalf of injured individuals and families affected by negligence. Calder focuses on listening and learning. This allows him to determine exactly how an injury or death really occurred and obtain the evidence needed to prove that medical negligence was the cause.
RECOVERING THE COMPENSATION CLIENTS DESERVE
When pursuing medical malpractice claims, Calder’s goal is twofold: firstly, to help those affected by malpractice recover the justice and compensation they need to move forward from the incident, and secondly, to hold the negligent parties accountable. In one particular case, Calder successfully recovered a settlement for a family whose wife and mother had undergone severe complications following a tubal ligation. The family was fairly compensated for the pain and suffering they endured during this traumatic event and the hospital was punished for allowing a repeat offender to continue treating patients at their facilities.
With every case he takes on, Calder works to provide closure to injured patients and grieving families, whether by righting a wrong or simply uncovering the truth. Throughout the process, he remains consistently available for his clients, encouraging them to reach out to him at any time with questions or concerns they may have.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT & OUTREACH
In addition to his legal experience, Calder has been and continues to be involved in several volunteer organizations that serve members of the community. In high school, he participated in the St. Joseph of Arimathea Society, a pallbearer ministry that serves the poor and indigent by carrying deceased men and women who have little or no family to their final place of rest. The ministry also holds a prayer service twice a year at Potter’s Field burial ground for the homeless in Cleveland.
During his high school years, Calder also participated in the Labre Ministry, which brings a simple meal to men and women living on the streets of Cleveland, allowing students to form meaningful relationships with those on the margins. Calder’s enthusiasm for Labre led him to start a Labre Ministry at Loyola University while he was an undergraduate there, providing the same ministry to men and women living on the streets of Chicago.
Prior to starting law school, Calder spent a year volunteering in the Jesuit Alumni Service Corps. Currently, he is on the Associate Board at the Westside Catholic Center and volunteers for the Cleveland Homeless Legal Assistance Program.
The core of his volunteer service has been to recognize and acknowledge the dignity of all persons, no matter what their circumstances in life. This carries over to his work with The Mellino Law Firm, as many of the firm’s clients have lost their dignity due to the severe injuries that render them unable to work or perform normal functions or cause them to incur crippling financial hardships from the costs of their resulting medical care.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & TRADEMARK LAW
Prior to entering the practice of law, Calder gained real-life insider experience in the creation and protection of intellectual property working at the United States Patent and Trademark Office in Washington, D.C. While at the USPTO, he researched new and emerging legal issues while gaining valuable insight to best practices in agency proceedings.
Calder uses this insight to help entrepreneurs and small business owners protect their brands and trademarks from unfair competition. Visit the trademark portion of The Mellino Law Firm’s website at beerandspiritslawyer.com for more information.
EXPERIENCE
Helping prepare successful federal trademark applications for registration, working with owners to shepherd it through the approval process, and protecting against infringement in the marketplace
Educating craft breweries throughout the U.S. as to current rights in existing names and the labels in current use; including presentations at industry conferences
Assessing current and proposed names and labels for federal and state trademark registration
Developing cost/benefit analyses of registration for individual names and labels
Helping individually prepare applications materials for names and labels
Educating the businesses as to the general federal trademark system to outline “best practices” and considerations for future names and labels
ACHIEVEMENTS
Managing Editor, The Ohio State Entrepreneurial Business Law Journal
