Melissa Mager was admitted to the Washington Bar in 1991 and joined Law Offices of Cynthia B. Whitaker in 1994.  Between 1992 and 1994, she was the law clerk for King County Superior Court Judge Charles W. Mertel.  She is a native of Oklahoma City who obtained her Associate Arts degree from Mount Vernon College in Washington, D.C., her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oklahoma, and her Juris Doctor from Oklahoma City University.  She spent eight years in Washington, D.C. as legislative staff to Oklahoma U.S. Senator Henry Bellmon, one year as legislative staff to the Speaker of the House of the State of Washington, and four years as professional staff to Oklahoma Governor Henry Bellmon.

Melissa is published in the Oklahoma City University Law Review, “Article Six Revisions of the Oklahoma Constitution: An Historical Overview”, 17 Okla.City U.L.Rev. 1 (1992); Family Law Desk Book, Chapter 70, Child Abuse and Neglect 1996 Supplement.  In addition she is a member of and has been a presenter for the King County Family Law Section and is a member of the Washington State Bar Association. 

An active volunteer, Melissa continues to serve on the King County Judicial Screening Committee which she chaired in 2009.  She served two terms as President of the grass roots environmental organization, People for Puget Sound, and twelve years on the Board of Directors.  She currently serves as a member of the Board of Friends of Cooper Island.

Melissa is a triathlete who enjoys a variety of activities including jazz singing, backpacking, sailing, and fundraising for her favorite causes.