Biography

Melissa Esterholm focuses her practice on complex business litigation and appeals, primarily representing energy companies.  She has represented clients in a diverse range of civil disputes, including breach of contract, general business torts, and intellectual property matters.

Prior to law school, Melissa obtained a Masters in English, where she refined writing skills that are invaluable in drafting trial and appellate briefs.  Her skills in legal writing have contributed directly to positive outcomes for a diverse range of clients in matters before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and multiple state courts of appeals in Texas and New York. 

Melissa graduated Order of the Coif from Vanderbilt Law School, where she served as Articles Editor for the Vanderbilt Law Review.  Following law school, she served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Catherina Haynes of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. 

Education

Vanderbilt University Law School

• Order of the Coif (Top 10%)

• Articles editor, Vanderbilt Law Review

James Madison University

• M.A., English

Liberty University

• B.A., English, magna cum laude

Judicial Clerkships

• Law Clerk, Hon. Catharina Haynes, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Previous Affiliations

• University of Houston Law Center

• Stokley PLLC

• Baker Botts

Admissions

• Texas