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Melissa Keyes


Melissa is an accomplished trial attorney with more than twenty-five years of experience litigating complex matters in Michigan’s state and federal courts. Her practice focuses on the defense of law-enforcement officers and other public employees, civil rights litigation, premises liability, and personal injury defense. Before entering private civil practice, Melissa served for more than twenty-seven years with the St. Clair County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, including nearly twenty years as a Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and three years as Chief of Appeals. She successfully handled hundreds of jury and bench trials, evidentiary hearings, and appeals involving homicide, sexual assault, crimes against children, arson, domestic violence, vehicular homicide and manslaughter, insurance fraud, and other serious offenses.

Melissa has spent most of her career working closely with police officers and advocating for victims of violent crime. She previously served as legal counsel to the St. Clair County Drug Task Force and the Port Huron Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit and supervised the Child Physical and Sexual Abuse Protocol Unit. This experience gives her a practical understanding of police procedures, use-of-force issues, witness preparation, expert testimony, and the evidentiary challenges that arise in complex civil and criminal litigation. Melissa’s extensive courtroom experience allows her to evaluate cases strategically from the outset. She is skilled in developing litigation strategies, conducting depositions, examining expert witnesses, handling complex motion practice, and presenting difficult factual and legal issues clearly and persuasively. She has also successfully briefed and argued numerous matters before the Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court.


When she is not practicing law, Melissa enjoys traveling, live music, and any opportunity for a new adventure. She and her husband have two adult daughters and are devoted dog owners.

Education

  • Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D.
  • Indiana University, B.A.

Presentations

  • Faculty member, Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan training programs
  • Faculty member, Michigan State Police Fire Investigation School
  • Training instructor for assistant prosecutors, the Port Huron Police Department, and the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department

Honors and Awards

  • Prosecution Service Award, Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan, 2023
  • Meritorious Service Award, Port Huron Police Department, 2021
  • Prosecution Service Award, Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan, 2018
  • Unit Citation Award, Port Huron Police Department, 2013
  • Certificate of Appreciation, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 2009
  • Unit Citation Award, Port Huron Police Department, 2009
  • Distinguished Service Award, Port Huron Police Department, 2009
  • Prosecutor of the Year, Michigan Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, 2007
  • Recognition for Dedication and Outstanding Service to the Fight Against Arson in Michigan
  • Michigan Arson Prevention Committee, 2007

Notable Cases

People v. Galvan — Melissa prosecuted the joint jury trial of two defendants convicted of first-degree felony murder, torture, and first-degree child abuse in the death of a four-year-old child following prolonged and severe abuse; both defendants received sentences of life imprisonment.

People v. Gamez — Melissa prosecuted a double-homicide case involving the strangulation and sexual assault of one victim and the stabbing death of another, obtaining convictions for two counts of premeditated first-degree murder, first-degree criminal sexual conduct, and two counts of torture.

People v. Sutton — Melissa prosecuted a defendant who used his vehicle as a weapon against police officers during a narcotics investigation, obtaining convictions that included assault with intent to murder one officer, assault with intent to do great bodily harm to another officer, fleeing and eluding, and resisting or obstructing police.

People v. Bauman — Melissa prosecuted a home-invasion shooting in which the defendant killed an off-duty police officer and wounded two others, securing convictions for first-degree murder, two counts of assault with intent to murder, first-degree home invasion, and felony-firearm.

People v. Cowhy — Melissa prosecuted a seven-day jury trial involving the sexual abuse of multiple children, obtaining convictions on five counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and five counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, including three substantial sentences ordered to run consecutively.