Hello! Meet Melissa Chlarson. Melissa is an Attorney at Law with Huberdeau Law Office and maintains a civil caseload focused primarily on Family Law. After graduating from Moses Lake High School, Melissa went on to Gonzaga University for her bachelors degree and then to Gonzaga University School of Law for her Juris Doctor degree. Melissa had her heart set on law ever since she worked for Patrick Acres in high school at his law office. She’s passionate about helping people and having a strong female voice and presence in a place still widely dominated by males.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Family is everything to me. I have two amazing kids ages 16 and 11 who keep me extremely busy. My daughter is a dancer with Today’s Generation Dance Studio anda MOLAHIETTE and my son plays basketball and baseball so a great deal of my time is spent getting them to and from their activities and watching them do what they love to do. When not attending dance/sporting events, we love to travel and hang out with our extended family. Because we are on the go a lot, we tend to keep things pretty low key around home.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
What I love most about what I do is being able to help people get through what is often the most difficult time of their life; getting them help and results at the end of the day is so gratifying. I also love being part of a system that can effectuate change.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Michael’s on the Lake and Michael’s Bistro.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
My entire life, except when I was away at school.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Justin Alaniz. He has a kind genuine soul and is an exceptional artist/photographer. His insight and passion for what he does both as an RN and photographer are both thought provoking and inspiring.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
There are so many places on my list but the Maldives is right at the top. It looks so beautiful, and I really want to stay in an overwater bungalow!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Favorite movie: The Proposal, because I love Sandra Bullock and Betty White. Favorite TV shows: Chicago P.D. and The Blacklist.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Build bridges, don’t burn them and never give up on your dreams.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I’d like to write a book; possibly a compilation of short stories.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
P!nk.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Elmers Chinese Restaurant. It used to be on 3rd St. and I just loved going as a little girl and ordering a huge bowl of noodles!
Q: If you could choose anyone today (not a relative); with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Ruth Bader Ginsburg – Talk about a woman who broke barriers and glass ceilings!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love that our community continues to grow but is able to maintain a small town vibe. I also love that for the most part our community members really do care about one another and will rally behind those in need.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself being the first female Superior Court Judge in Grant County.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I played golf for Gonzaga and at the very first tournament I played in I shot a hole in 1.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
A couple years ago I went on a Rhine River Cruise and saw the most beautiful places. Riquewihr, France, which is said to have been the inspiration behind the town from Beauty and the Beast, was one of my favorites – it truly was like being in the middle of a fairy tale!
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Favorite month? October – I love fall! Favorite holiday? Christmas.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My support system of family and friends around me.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My kids.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Rain and lavender.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Love. Laughter. Organized chaos.
