Melanie Hines, Tallahassee, FL, Administrative Hearings and Appeals

Tallahassee
850-521-6722
mhines@bergersingerman.com

Melanie Hines has practiced law for more than 40 years. A former statewide prosecutor for twelve years, Melanie has extensive experience interacting with the Legislature, Executive branch agencies, including the Governor's Office and the Florida Cabinet, and the Judiciary. In her role as statewide prosecutor, she served as legal adviser to seven separate statewide grand juries. As a result of her work in the areas of economic crime, consumer protection, and state licensing regulations, she is knowledgeable in virtually all State government practice areas affecting Florida's business interests.

Melanie focuses her practice in the areas of white-collar criminal defense, administrative law, and civil litigation. Since joining Berger Singerman, she has represented corporate and individual clients in grand jury investigations, before regulatory licensing boards, in defense of agency enforcement actions, and in civil RICO and fraud cases. She has also conducted internal investigations for public and private entities.

Overview

Representative Matters

Advising clients in the defense of ethics charges
Independent counsel to a major educational institution regarding potential contract-related conflicts of interest
Counsel to hotels and other businesses under investigation for storm-related price gouging
Independent co-counsel to the Board of a special taxing district, and its Audit Committee, in an internal investigation of alleged charter violations and contracting improprieties
Co-lead counsel to a Fortune 1000 publicly traded company under nationwide investigation by State Attorneys General; negotiated successful resolutions in 50 jurisdictions (49 states and the District of Columbia)
Counsel to a charitable foundation in a suit to recover losses from the Madoff Ponzi scheme
Independent Counsel to the Florida House of Representatives in ethics proceedings
Counsel to a former state regulator in a grand jury investigation
Special Counsel to the State Division of Insurance Rehabilitation and Liquidation for Receivership litigation and asset recovery
Independent Counsel to Florida's State Board of Administration Audit Committee regarding the Local Government Investment Pool
Independent Counsel to a major public utility regarding economic development tax credits
Independent Counsel to the Florida Democratic Party
Counsel to a national start-up precious metals dealer
Counsel to architects, building contractors, engineers, health care professionals, medical centers, pharmaceutical companies, real estate brokers, restaurants, and securities dealers
Criminal defense counsel to individuals and businesses under investigation or indicted for fraud- related offenses in state and federal court
Defense of employment discrimination and ADA claims
Legislative lobbying experience
Represented major charity in response to whistleblower's claims of fraudulent medical insurance billing practices, including supervision of internal investigation and self-reporting of findings, resulting in closure of regulatory investigations with no action

Awards & Honors

Martindale-Hubbell, AV® Preeminent™ rated
The Best Lawyers in America®, 2007-2025
- Best Lawyers, Criminal Defense: White-Collar Lawyer of the Year (Tallahassee), 2020, 2022
Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-2023
Florida Trend, Legal Elite, Criminal Law, 2006-2012, 2014-2015
Florida Association of Women Lawyers' Leader in the Law, 2012
Florida Bar Presidential Award of Merit, 2007
Florida Commission on the Status of Women, Outstanding Achievement Award, 2003
Recipient of Florida Cabinet Resolutions for Public/Private Partnerships in Crime Prevention, 1998-2002

Community Activities / Associations

Member, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member, Senior Circuit Judge Review Panel (2010- June 2022)
Member, Federal Judicial Nominating Commission, Northern District Conference (2009-2018)
Member, Tallahassee Bar Association
Member, Tallahassee Women Lawyers Association
United Way "Power of the Purse" Steering Committee (2007-2008)
Florida Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Florida Class XXIII graduate
Member, Judicial Management Council (2007-2008)
Member, Florida Bar Professionalism Committee (2007-2009)
FSU Law School Adjunct Professor, Corporate Governance, Trial Skills (2003-2004)
Past President, William H. Stafford American Inn of Court (2004-2005)
Past President, Tallahassee Bar Association (2001-2002)
Chair, Florida Bar Criminal Law Section (2003-2004) and Criminal Rules Committee (1995-1996)
Chair, Voluntary Bar Liaison Committee (2005-2007)
Florida Bar Foundation Fellow
American Bar Association Fellow
Prosecutor/Public Defender Training Program Faculty Member (2004)
Court-appointed volunteer Guardian/Attorney Ad Litem for Dependent Children