Melinda S. McCorkle
Melinda is the founder and managing partner of McCORKLE LAW. Melinda has been awarded the highest rating (AV) by Martindale-Hubbell, which is reflective of her peers’ perception of her legal skills. In 2017, Melinda was selected as one of the “10 Best Personal Injury Attorneys” in Wyoming by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys. In 2014, Melinda was elected as the Wyoming State Bar Commissioner for the First Judicial District by the attorneys in her district, a position she held until 2019. Melinda has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Wyoming College of Law (Professional Responsibility) and at the Laramie County Community College (Torts).
Melinda represents individuals and businesses in complex civil litigation, including civil rights and Title IX, major personal injury and wrongful death, and all accompanying appellate briefing and argument. Melinda also represents employers and employees in employment related matters and was asked to join the American Employment Law Council. Melinda has written and argued numerous cases before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Wyoming Supreme Court and enjoys appellate work irrespective of whether she handled the initial case.
Over the last several years, Melinda has been involved in several major cases, including Forth v. Laramie Cnty. Sch. Dist. No. 1, 85 F.4th 1044 (10th Cir. 2023), a Title IX case in which the Tenth Circuit reversed and remanded the District Court's granting of summary judgment, holding a jury could conclude that the school district had actual notice that the teacher posed a threat to the student. Melinda was also involved in the watershed case of Osborne v. Baxter Healthcare Corp., 798 F.3d 1260 (10th Cir. 2015), a case involving the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on which numerous articles have been written. Recently, Melinda represented individuals seeking a permanent injunction against a litigant whom plaintiffs alleged had improperly filed numerous lawsuits in violation of prior bankruptcy orders. After a five-day bench trial in April 2022, the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Wyoming entered a 93-page Order granting the request for filing restrictions against the defendant and his surrogates, enjoining him from “initiating or prosecuting litigation or any other adversarial action” against any of the plaintiffs in the adversarial action without first seeking permission from the Bankruptcy Court. Barney, et al. v. Lane, et al. (In re Lane), No. 20-ap-2018 (Bankr. D. Wyo. 2018). The defendant has appealed the decision. In 2017, Melinda litigated and settled a case involving the sexual assault of a minor student by a teacher in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and Title IX (B.A.L. v. Laramie County School District No. 1, et. al., Civ. Action No. 16-CV-91 (D. Wyo. 2016)). In B.A.L., Melinda defeated several dispositive motions and successfully argued against dismissing the principal in either his individual or official capacity. Melinda has also represented educational institutions such as the University of Wyoming and successfully obtained dismissal of all claims via motions to dismiss for sixteen defendants and fourteen claims in Jemaneh v. Univ. of Wyoming, 622 F. App’x 765 (10th Cir. 2015), cert. denied, 136 S. Ct. 2419, 195 L. Ed. 2d 788 (2016). Melinda has also been involved in numerous personal injury and wrongful death cases. In 2014, Melinda defeated a motion for summary judgment on a co-employee case, which requires a showing of willful and wanton misconduct. The insurer then filed a declaratory judgment action arguing it did not have to defend or indemnify its insured. Melinda defeated the insurer in the District Court and in the Tenth Circuit, after which, the insurer settled the case for 2.5 million dollars for Melinda’s clients. Peerless Indem. Ins. Co. v. Cloud Peak Hosp., LLC, No. 14-CV-99-SWS, 2015 WL 11022848 (D. Wyo. Jan. 2, 2015), aff'd sub nom. Peerless Indem. Ins. Co. v. Swanner, 651 F. App’x 785 (10th Cir. 2016).
For additional information about Melinda's past cases, please see Representative Cases.
Prior to forming McCORKLE LAW, Melinda was a partner in Kline, McCorkle & Pilger, a firm with which she was associated since 2011. From 2006-2010, Melinda prosecuted for the Laramie County District Attorney’s Office during which time she gained extensive litigation and trial experience, handling numerous hearings, bench trials and jury trials for hundreds of cases. Immediately after law school, Melinda clerked for the Honorable Clarence A. Brimmer, United States District Court, District of Wyoming. As a law clerk, Melinda gained valuable insight into the judicial arena and performed extensive research and drafted numerous orders in various areas of the law, including Title IX and Title VII, ERISA, due process, social security, natural resources, and First, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights issues.
Melinda graduated from the University of Wyoming College of Law, magna cum laude, in 2004, during which time she gained several distinctions, including the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award, National Association of Women Lawyers Outstanding Graduate Award, and Order of the Coif. Melinda was also selected as the recorder and member of the Wyoming State Bar Select Committee to Review the Rules of Professional Conduct, an elite committee comprised of judges, prosecutors, criminal defense attorneys and civil litigators chosen to review and suggest revisions to the ethical rules governing attorneys. Prior to attending the University of Wyoming College of Law, Melinda graduated from the University of South Carolina, magna cum laude, in 1999 (B.A., Journalism).
PUBLICATIONS
PRESENTATIONS
DISTINCTIONS, MEMBERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Melinda represents individuals and businesses in complex civil litigation, including civil rights and Title IX, major personal injury and wrongful death, and all accompanying appellate briefing and argument. Melinda also represents employers and employees in employment related matters and was asked to join the American Employment Law Council. Melinda has written and argued numerous cases before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Wyoming Supreme Court and enjoys appellate work irrespective of whether she handled the initial case.
Over the last several years, Melinda has been involved in several major cases, including Forth v. Laramie Cnty. Sch. Dist. No. 1, 85 F.4th 1044 (10th Cir. 2023), a Title IX case in which the Tenth Circuit reversed and remanded the District Court's granting of summary judgment, holding a jury could conclude that the school district had actual notice that the teacher posed a threat to the student. Melinda was also involved in the watershed case of Osborne v. Baxter Healthcare Corp., 798 F.3d 1260 (10th Cir. 2015), a case involving the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on which numerous articles have been written. Recently, Melinda represented individuals seeking a permanent injunction against a litigant whom plaintiffs alleged had improperly filed numerous lawsuits in violation of prior bankruptcy orders. After a five-day bench trial in April 2022, the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Wyoming entered a 93-page Order granting the request for filing restrictions against the defendant and his surrogates, enjoining him from “initiating or prosecuting litigation or any other adversarial action” against any of the plaintiffs in the adversarial action without first seeking permission from the Bankruptcy Court. Barney, et al. v. Lane, et al. (In re Lane), No. 20-ap-2018 (Bankr. D. Wyo. 2018). The defendant has appealed the decision. In 2017, Melinda litigated and settled a case involving the sexual assault of a minor student by a teacher in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and Title IX (B.A.L. v. Laramie County School District No. 1, et. al., Civ. Action No. 16-CV-91 (D. Wyo. 2016)). In B.A.L., Melinda defeated several dispositive motions and successfully argued against dismissing the principal in either his individual or official capacity. Melinda has also represented educational institutions such as the University of Wyoming and successfully obtained dismissal of all claims via motions to dismiss for sixteen defendants and fourteen claims in Jemaneh v. Univ. of Wyoming, 622 F. App’x 765 (10th Cir. 2015), cert. denied, 136 S. Ct. 2419, 195 L. Ed. 2d 788 (2016). Melinda has also been involved in numerous personal injury and wrongful death cases. In 2014, Melinda defeated a motion for summary judgment on a co-employee case, which requires a showing of willful and wanton misconduct. The insurer then filed a declaratory judgment action arguing it did not have to defend or indemnify its insured. Melinda defeated the insurer in the District Court and in the Tenth Circuit, after which, the insurer settled the case for 2.5 million dollars for Melinda’s clients. Peerless Indem. Ins. Co. v. Cloud Peak Hosp., LLC, No. 14-CV-99-SWS, 2015 WL 11022848 (D. Wyo. Jan. 2, 2015), aff'd sub nom. Peerless Indem. Ins. Co. v. Swanner, 651 F. App’x 785 (10th Cir. 2016).
For additional information about Melinda's past cases, please see Representative Cases.
Prior to forming McCORKLE LAW, Melinda was a partner in Kline, McCorkle & Pilger, a firm with which she was associated since 2011. From 2006-2010, Melinda prosecuted for the Laramie County District Attorney’s Office during which time she gained extensive litigation and trial experience, handling numerous hearings, bench trials and jury trials for hundreds of cases. Immediately after law school, Melinda clerked for the Honorable Clarence A. Brimmer, United States District Court, District of Wyoming. As a law clerk, Melinda gained valuable insight into the judicial arena and performed extensive research and drafted numerous orders in various areas of the law, including Title IX and Title VII, ERISA, due process, social security, natural resources, and First, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights issues.
Melinda graduated from the University of Wyoming College of Law, magna cum laude, in 2004, during which time she gained several distinctions, including the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award, National Association of Women Lawyers Outstanding Graduate Award, and Order of the Coif. Melinda was also selected as the recorder and member of the Wyoming State Bar Select Committee to Review the Rules of Professional Conduct, an elite committee comprised of judges, prosecutors, criminal defense attorneys and civil litigators chosen to review and suggest revisions to the ethical rules governing attorneys. Prior to attending the University of Wyoming College of Law, Melinda graduated from the University of South Carolina, magna cum laude, in 1999 (B.A., Journalism).
PUBLICATIONS
- Diverson: An Underutilized Alternative to Discipline, Wyoming Lawyer (April 2024)
- An Examination of the Office of Bar Counsel and Lawyer Discipline, Wyoming Lawyer (December 2023)
- When a Lawyer Needs Help, What is a Judge To Do?, Wyoming Lawyer (February 2023)
- Ethical Considerations in Flat Fee Arrangements Revisited, Wyoming Lawyer (August 2022)
- The Prosecutor's Post-Conviction Duties, Wyoming Lawyer (February 2022)
- The Who, What, Why and How of Lawyer Discipline, Wyoming Lawyer (December 2021)
- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Understanding the Benefits and Risks Associated with Relevant Technology, Wyoming Lawyer (June 2021)
- The Unique Challenges of Personal Relationships with Opposing Counsel in a Sparsely Populated State, Wyoming Lawyer (December 2020)
- So, You Want a Small Office Practice? 10 Tips for Doing it Ethically with Competent Help, Wyoming Lawyer (April 2020)
- The Lasting Legacy of John M. Burman, Wyoming Lawyer (March 2019)
- Making Lemonade from Lemons: Constructive Approaches to Resolving Attorney Discipline, Wyoming Lawyer (August 2014)
PRESENTATIONS
- National Organization of Bar Counsel: Ethics Issues in Rural Areas (February 2024)
- American Inns of Court: Pro se Litigants (January 2024)
- Defense Lawyers Association of Wyoming (DLAW): The Disciplinary Process and Current Trends (December 2023)
- Wyoming Association of County Officers (WACO): Special Obligations of Prosecutors (September 2023)
- District Court Judges: Lawyer Discipline-Wyoming Lawyer Assistance Program and Efforts to Help Lawyers Improve (May 2022)
- Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association: Trends in Attorney Discipline in Wyoming (June 2021)
- Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association: Avoiding Trouble: Current Trends in Attorney Discipline (June 2020)
- American Board of Trial Advocates – Wyoming Chapter – Interpretation of Exclusions in Insurance Policies (2015)
- Equal Justice Wyoming: Employee Rights in Wyoming (2015)
DISTINCTIONS, MEMBERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- LexisNexis Martindale Hubbell “AV Preeminent” rating
- Adjunct Professor, University of Wyoming College of Law, Laramie, WY: Professional Responsibility (Spring 2020)
- Adjunct Professor, Laramie County Community College, Cheyenne, WY: Tort Law (2016-2019)
- Selected as one of the “10 Best Personal Injury Attorneys” in Wyoming by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys (2017-2018)
- Wyoming State Bar Commissioner, First Judicial District (2014-2019)
- Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Advisory Council – Vice-Chair (2014-2018)
- Wyoming Civil Pattern Jury Instruction Committee (2017-present)
- Bench Bar Relations Committee (2017-2019)
- National Organization of Bar Counsel (2020-present)
- American Bar Association (2020-present)
- American Employment Law Council (by invitation only) (2017-2019)
- Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers (2015-2020)
- Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association (2011–2020)
- Laramie County Bar Association (2004-present)
- Laramie County Juvenile Services Joint Powers Board (2008-2010)
- SAGE System of Care Initiative (2007-2009)
- Laramie County Provider Leadership Consortium (2007-2009)
- Wyoming State Bar Select Committee to Review the Rules of Professional Conduct (2003-2005)