Melissa L. Rankine

At Katherine L. Maloney & Associates, LLC, nestled in Plainfield, Illinois, Melissa L. Rankine brings a rich tapestry of 15 years of paralegal knowledge to her role as an associate attorney. Since earning her license in Illinois in 2021, she has dedicated her practice to navigating the intricate waters of family law, addressing matters such as divorce, parental responsibility and child support. Her legal journey also extends into probate, where she handles cases involving the guardianship of both disabled adults and minor children.

Ms. Rankine's academic roots trace back to the University of Wisconsin – Parkside, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in psychology. Her college days were marked by internships with Racine Correctional Institution's prerelease planning and Racine's Juvenile deferred prosecution intervention programs.

Following her graduation, Ms. Rankine embarked on a career as a paralegal for civil litigation and creditors' rights law firms and took on the role of a social worker with Wisconsin's Department of Children and Family in Milwaukee. In 2013, she embarked on a new chapter in Chicago, Illinois, where she delved into her studies at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, earning her Juris Doctor alongside a certificate in public interest and social justice.

While attending law school, Ms. Rankine balanced full-time work at a family law firm and thrived academically. She was the Student Bar Association Representative for the class of 2021, appeared on the dean's list and was among the first at Loyola to receive the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Award in 2019.

Ms. Rankine’s involvement extended to the American Inn of Courts, mentoring at Chicago's Legal Prep Academy, interning with the American Bar Association and volunteering at the Inner-City Muslim Action Network's Family Law Clinic and Legal Aid of Illinois. She also enriched her studies by traveling to Loyola's John Felice Rome Center in Italy, where she had the privilege of learning from Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

A pillar in her community, Ms. Rankine provides clients with well-rounded and committed representation. As the secretary of the Will County Women's Bar Association and a member of organizations like the Illinois State Bar Association, the Young Lawyers Association and the Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce, she remains attuned to legal developments.

Before joining Katherine L. Maloney & Associates, LLC, Ms. Rankine developed her legal skills as a lawyer focused on creating and managing alternative investment funds for startups and angel investors. Her experience highlights her ability to handle complex legal issues to meet her clients' specific needs in the investment field.