Melissa Richards

Melissa Richards is an attorney and dispute resolution professional in Manhattan, Kansas. She works through MHK Dispute Resolution Services on divorce, child custody, child support, parenting time, mediation, and domestic conciliation. Her practice emphasizes helping families resolve domestic disagreements through structured discussion and legal processes. She brings experience in litigation and alternative dispute resolution to matters involving changing family relationships. Her goal is to help clients and parties find workable solutions to difficult conflicts.

Melissa earned a B.S. in Business summa cum laude from Kaplan University and a B.S. in Human Development and Family Science from Kansas State University. She later received her J.D. from Washburn University School of Law, where she ranked twenty-eighth in her class of 153. During law school, she completed an externship with the Riley County Attorney’s Office. Her studies in family development, business, and law complement her work in domestic disputes and mediation.

Melissa began practicing law in 2012 and joined the partners at Weary Davis in 2015. She later established her independent dispute resolution practice. Her experience includes civil and appellate matters, and she serves as a state-approved domestic mediator, conciliator, and parenting coordinator. Her work involves helping parties address parenting arrangements, financial obligations, and disagreements related to divorce or separation. She has also participated in court-mandated dispute resolution matters within several Kansas judicial districts.

Melissa Richards is an approved domestic mediator recognized by the Kansas judicial system. She draws on litigation experience while frequently working as a neutral professional who assists parties in reaching agreements outside court. Her practice includes domestic mediation, conciliation, and parenting coordination for families navigating ongoing disputes. She emphasizes communication, balanced discussion, and practical arrangements intended to reduce conflict and assist families with transitions involving children and parental responsibilities.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Manhattan Dispute Resolution Services
• Member, Kansas Bar Association
• Member, Riley County Bar Association
• Member, Downtown Manhattan, Inc

Licensed State

• Kansas

Education

• Washburn University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Kaplan University
  Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Summa Cum Laude
• Kansas State University
  Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human Development and Family Science

Awards & Badges