About Melissa
Melissa Syracuse combined an early interest in numbers with a later commitment to the law. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Financial Management from Clemson University, then moved to Charleston School of Law where she completed her Juris Doctor. That mix of finance and legal training informs how she approaches cases: methodical, detail-oriented and attentive to the practical stakes.
Her legal career began on the defense side. In 2006 she worked at Willson Jones Carter & Baxley, LLC, where she learned how defense practices structure investigations, draft responsive pleadings and manage litigation calendars. The experience provided an inside view of defense strategies. It also shaped her courtroom preparation and case assessment skills.
By 2009 Syracuse shifted to plaintiff-side work as an associate at Richard Wern Lawyers. The transition gave her day-to-day responsibility for client communication, discovery and motion practice. She handled claim development from the outset of a matter through the exchange of evidence. That period tested her ability to translate legal theory into practical case plans for people pursuing relief in court.
Two years later she took a leadership step. In 2011 she became a partner at Callihan Lohr & Syracuse, LLC. As a partner she has overseen complex files, coordinated litigation teams and managed trial preparation. Her role includes mentoring younger attorneys and working with experts. The firm affiliation anchors her practice in plaintiff-side civil litigation and provides a platform for sustained courtroom work.
Across these roles Syracuse has built a profile as a plaintiff lawyer who knows both sides of a case. Her background in financial management often shapes how she evaluates economic damages and settlement proposals. She is comfortable in depositions and in the courtroom. Colleagues describe her approach as pragmatic: she prepares thoroughly, pursues the evidence and makes decisions based on what the record shows.
Her licensure covers practice in South Carolina. She has handled matters that require careful case management and frequent client contact. Syracuse’s practice style emphasizes clarity in explaining legal options and steady attention to procedural deadlines. She draws on her early defense experience when formulating plaintiff strategies.
She continues to practice at Callihan Lohr & Syracuse, LLC, representing plaintiffs in civil litigation and focusing her work on preparing cases for trial and resolution through negotiation or judgment.
