Suzette M. Meléndez

Teaching Professor 315.443.3437 smmelend@syr.edu Curriculum Vitae [PDF]

Professor Meléndez’s teaching and scholarly interests are in the area of family law, domestic violence and the delivery of legal services to women and children. Professor Meléndez joined the College of Law in 2002, teaching on domestic violence. She also has directed the Children’s Rights and Family Law Clinic and teaches Family Law. In February 2023, she was appointed Faculty Fellow for the Office of Strategic Initiatives in Academic Affairs and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Syracuse University.

Professor Meléndez earned a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton. She earned a juris doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law. Prior to coming to Syracuse, Professor Meléndez supervised the statewide Domestic Violence Representation Project at Legal Services of New Jersey and was an attorney at Essex Newark Legal Services in the area of family law. She also has worked at the Legal Aid Society in New York City representing clients in the areas of housing and public entitlements.

In addition to her litigation experience, Professor Meléndez has engaged in policy work on issues affecting litigants and practitioner at various levels including state and county domestic violence working groups, local and state bar associations and judicial committees. She continues to work extensively on issues pursuing access to justice and the equitable treatment of all within the legal system as well as in our academic environments.