Education & Background
Melissa McGann Babu received her B.A. degree, cum laude, in English from Boston College as a graduate of its Honors Program. She received her J.D. from Villanova University School of Law in 2001, where she was the Executive Editor of the Villanova Sports & Entertainment Law Journal. Melissa was admitted to practice law in California in 2001. After being admitted to the California Bar, Melissa practiced with Andre, Morris & Buttery, most recently as a principal.
Melissa is admitted to practice in all of the courts of the State of California and United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Professional & Community Affiliations
Melissa is a member of the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo, the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association, the San Luis Obispo County Women Lawyers Association, and Phi Delta Phi. Melissa was a member of the Women’s Legacy Fund Advisory Committee for The Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County from 2023-2024, and she served as an officer and a member of the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo Charities, Inc. from 2016-2023. She also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County from 2016-2018. She is a Past President of the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association and served as a member of its Board of Directors from 2008-2015. Melissa has served as the Editor of the Bar Association’s Bar Bulletin, its official publication. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the San Luis Obispo County YMCA from 2003-2007.
Awards, Publications & Presentations
Melissa has been honored as one of San Luis Obispo County’s top young business and community leaders by being named a Top 20 Under 40 Award winner by The Tribune, San Luis Obispo County’s oldest newspaper. Melissa was recognized for her professional contributions to the local legal community and for her community contributions through the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association, the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo, and her pro bono work.
Melissa authored “Web Word War (WWW): A New Approach to Trademark Infringement and Unfair Competition Claims under the Lanham Act in Brookfield Communications, Inc. v. West Coast Entertainment Corp.” (2000) 7 Vill. Sports & Ent. LJ 363. Melissa has also lectured on intellectual property law and software licensing issues as they pertain to businesses and educators.
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