About

In 2011, Melissa Moriarty Gast opened her own law firm with a focus on family law, and every step of the way, she has zealously provided strong, knowledgeable, and experienced legal representation for divorce, dissolution, child custody, parentage, child support and LBGTQ clients. She also has extensive experience in representing qualifying parents in uncontested adoptions and grandparents wishing to pursue grandparent visitation rights.

Prior to forming her law practice, Melissa served as staff attorney for The Honorable Kim A. Browne in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch. As Judge Browne’s staff attorney, she gained a wealth of courtroom experience and developed invaluable, ongoing relationships with many judges and attorneys throughout the community. Melissa was responsible for researching complex domestic and juvenile litigation issues and drafting court decisions that continue to assist her in her practice today. After her employment with Judge Browne, Melissa gained further litigation experience by representing clients as an associate attorney at a Columbus law firm for four years.

Melissa earned her Juris Doctor degree from Capital University Law School in 2003, graduating cum laude. Prior to that, she graduated cum laude from Ohio University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication.  

In her spare time, Melissa enjoys the outdoors — especially spending time on the Ohio coast of Lake Erie — and is an avid traveler and cook.