Who Is Dan Melnick

Dan Melnick is the founder and principal lawyer at the Encino law office of Mark Daniel Melnick, Attorney at Law, providing representation in criminal defense matters in Los Angeles, Ventura County and Orange County.

It is Dan's belief that clients should know who their lawyer really is. You should know his background, what motivates him, why he cares, and what kind of person he is. After all, you may be putting your future in his hands. This short biography is intended to give some insight into Dan Melnick so that you will know something about the person who may be standing between you and your freedom.

First of all, although his name is "Mark Daniel", Mr. Melnick is known to his friends as simply "Dan" (it's a long story). Dan was born in Santa Monica, California and he grew up in the San Fernando Valley. After high school he got a job working for United Artists as a production assistant and spent nearly a year in Yugoslavia making (and appearing in) the movie Fiddler on the Roof. Upon his return to the U.S. Dan attended UCLA and graduated in 1975. Following his graduation from UCLA during the summer of 1975 he went to work helping a friend build a 60 foot cement sailboat (that's right cement) and helped sail it to Hawaii.

With 2500 miles and 3 months of sailing behind him Dan returned and attended Law School at the University of San Fernando Valley School of law, graduating in 1978. During his years in college and law school he worked and supported himself as a night crew stock clerk at Ralphs Grocery store in Sherman Oaks. Notably, Dan is still friends with many of his old coworkers from his days of stocking shelves.

Shortly after passing the Bar exam Mr. Melnick went to work near Chicago as a labor law and labor relations consultant for the premiere consulting firm in the country. In 1983 he again returned to the Los Angeles area to practice labor law, but that didn't last long.

Early in his practice Mr. Melnick was referred a criminal case for trial. He tried the case and realized that criminal defense was his calling. It was in criminal defense that he felt he was able to truly provide a service that helped people on a personal level. Instead of arguing with management and unions, he was able to work directly with his clients and juries in the court room. Most importantly, instead of helping big companies he was now able to protect "the little Guy" from the often oppressive government prosecutors. Since that first case, Dan Melnick has handled thousands of criminal cases of virtually every type, large and small, and to this day he continues to fight for the individual.

In his spare time Dan is an avid ice hockey player and he has played all over the world including Austria, Australia, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Fifteen years ago one of the local leagues was named in his honor when the name was changed to the "Melnick Division". He is also a licensed Scuba Instructor and a commercially licensed sea captain with a fifty ton masters license.

In 2002, Dan sold his law practice and left for an extended cruise on his sailboat. After sailing the Sea of Cortez, the waters of Mexico and Central America as far as Costa Rica in all kinds of weather, Dan returned to Los Angeles in 2006 and to the practice of law.

Because of his background and experience, Dan can relate to people from all walks of life., He is a guy who is comfortable in a tuxedo or shorts and a t-shirt. He can (and has) fit in at the best Beverly Hills bistro or the corner bar in Van Nuys. All of his experience and success, legal and otherwise, gives Dan Melnick the knowledge, patience, understanding and strength to deal with the stress and concerns of his clients. He has the ability to successfully fight the stringent demands of the legal system.

"If you hire me, I will be your lawyer. No one else!
I will take your calls day or night. No one else!
I will make time for you.
We will not be strangers and all your questions will get answers.
It's more than business, it's personal! That's my commitment to my clients."

Dan Melnick

Education:

J.D., San Fernando Valley College of Law (1979)
University of California at Los Angeles

Admissions:

California State Courts
United States District Court, Central District of California
United States District Court, District of Arizona

Professional Associations/Memberships:

State Bar of California
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers