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Melissa Z. is a highly experienced attorney specializing in disability law and civil legal rights, currently serving as Supervising Attorney at Urban Justice Center since January 2024 and previously as Managing Attorney for the Community Inclusion Team at Disability Rights New Jersey since November 2021. Prior roles include Director of the Disability Advocacy Project at Brooklyn Legal Services, where responsibilities included supervising legal teams, conducting trainings, and representing low-income clients in federal disability cases. Melissa has also held positions as Senior Staff Attorney in the Mental Health Project at Urban Justice Center, and as Staff Attorney for the Permanency Legal Assistance Needs Project at Nassau Suffolk Law Services, effectively advocating for clients across various legal proceedings. Educated with a J.D. from Penn State Dickinson Law and a BA in Psychology from Binghamton University, Melissa has demonstrated a commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within legal practices.