Melissa Moss

Melissa Pershing Moss is responsible for the grants, development and pro bono departments. As part of the Foundation’s executive team, she directs strategic investments in research, program assessment, capacity-building, technical assistance and technology. She also provides research and other support to the Florida Commission on Access to Civil Justice.

In addition, Melissa has had the opportunity to play a significant leadership role in several important statewide initiatives, including;

  • The creation of the Florida Justice Technology Center (FJTC)
  • The pilot of the Florida Legal Access Gateway (FLAG) – an online triage portal utilizing expert systems technology.
  • The establishment of the Foundation’s statewide Pro Bono Partnerships department
  • Changes in The Foundation’s fundamental business model and strategic investments, known as its “strategic reset”.
  • Partnering with Margaret Hagan on development of a statewide conference for grantees in 2015 and this year’s community-led Escambia Project based in a wrap-around social services center. Both utilized design-thinking.
  • Securing a successful 9-month partnership with Toyota for a pro bono Business Process Analysis/Improvement engagement with grantee Florida Rural Legal Services

Moss has also served as executive director of Legal Services Alabama and Legal Aid of North Carolina and in the Office of Program Performance at the Legal Services Corporation in Washington D.C.  Previously, as Director of Public Services Activities for the North Carolina Bar Association, she directed the North Carolina Pro Bono Project, the North Carolina Commission on the Delivery of Civil Legal Services and the North Carolina Lawyer Referral Service.

Prior to joining the Foundation in 2013, Melissa served worked as executive director for The Julian Center, Indiana’s largest domestic violence shelter. She was the recipient of the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence 2010 Harlene Barnett Public Service Award.

Melissa earned her B.S. at Butler University and her J.D. at Georgia State University College of Law.


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(c) Stanford Legal Design Lab, 2017