Biography
Professional Experience
Law Offices of Melissa A. Huelsman, P.S. (Seattle, Washington) Sole Practitioner, 2001 to the Present
Ms. Huelsman’s practice focuses on the following borrowers’ litigation:
• Predatory mortgage lending
• Improper mortgage loan servicing
• Wrongful foreclosure/judicial foreclosure defense
• Mortgage fraud and foreclosure rescue scams
• Debtors’ bankruptcy representation
• Defense of former homeowners in evictions
Successfully litigated/appealed cases in:
• Washington State Supreme Court (3 cases)
• Washington State Courts of Appeal
• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
• Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington
• Washington State Superior Courts
Involvement in Drafting and Passing into Law/Amending State Laws:
• Deed of Trust Act, RCW 61.24, et seq. including the Foreclosure Fairness Act, RCW 61.24.163 and RCW 61.24.127
• Consumer Protection Act (UDAP) changes, RCW 19.86.093
• Distressed Property Conveyances, RCW 61.34, et seq.
• Mortgage Insurance restrictions, RCW 61.10, et seq.
• Consumer Loan Act changes, RCW 31.04, et seq.
Important and Published Decisions
• Lyons v. U.S. Bank, 336 P.3d 1142 (2014) (co-counsel)
• Frias v. Asset Foreclosure, et al., 181 Wn.2d 412 (2014)
• Bain v. Metro. Mrtg. Group, Inc., 175 Wn.2d 83, 97, 285 P.3d 34 (2012)
• Keahey v. Jared (In re Keahey), No. 90-6000, 2011 WL 288966 (9th Cir. Jan. 31, 2011)
• Pace-Knapp v. Pelascini, et al., No. 63758-4-I, Wn. App., Div. 1 (Feb. 14, 2011) and 143 Wn. App. 1037, 2008 WL 699279 (2008)
• Brown v. Household Realty Corp., 145 Wn.App. 157, 189 P.3d 233 (2008), review denied, 165 Wn.2d 1023 (2009) – In spite of a loss on appeal, this decision resulted in Ms. Huelsman working with the Washington Attorney General’s Office to pass legislation that protected the rights of residential homeowners post non-judicial foreclosure. RCW 61.24.127.
• Gunsul v. Countrywide Home Loans, et al., 169 P.3d 830 (2007).
Bar and Court Admissions
• California State Bar – 1997 (voluntarily inactive)
• United States District Court for the Central District of California
• Washington State Bar – 2001
• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
• United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
Professional Activities
• NACA Membership
• NWCLC (Northwest Consumer Law Center) – Founder & Board Member - 2011 to 2020
• CENTS (Consumer Education and Training Services) – Board Member – 2006 to Present
• WSBA Member, Civil Rules Committee, WSBA – 2007-2008
• WSBA Member, Access To Justice Committee – 2016 to Present
• Recipient, Columbia Legal Services, 2012 Pro Bono Honoree
• Recipient, KCBA 2006 Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year
• Recipient, KCBA Volunteer of the Year – 2003
• Recipient, Unsung Hero Award, Urban League of Seattle/Metropolitan King County
Education
California State University, Fullerton
Bachelor of Arts Degree, English - 1993
Southwestern University School of Law
Juris Doctorate – 1997
Managing Editor of The Commentator
President, The Criminal Law Society