Michael Melkonian Highlights Summer Associate Experience at Nossaman

Loyola Law School J.D. Candidate Michael Melkonian ’27, reflected on his experience as a summer associate at Nossaman in the article “Summer Job Diaries: 3L Explores Water Law at Top Environment and Infrastructure Law Firm.” The piece ran on the Loyola Law School website, with Michael saying his time at Nossaman was filled with meaningful assignments, hands-on learning and valuable mentorship.

Michael stated he became interested in the summer associate program after “a close friend who had worked as a legal administrator for 25 years told [him] that Nossaman was the best firm she had ever worked for.” He added he was excited by the chance to work with the lawyers in the Firm’s renowned Eminent Domain & Inverse Condemnation Group, as it “offered an opportunity to gain experience in a unique area of the law.”

During his time with the Group, Michael was exposed to a wide range of sophisticated matters involving eminent domain valuation disputes, inverse condemnation and water law. He said he acquired new legal skills, learning how to “work effectively within a law firm practice group and contribute to a matter as part of a larger team” and that he “worked closely with associates on assignments, incorporated their feedback and saw how work product progresses from an initial research assignment to partner review and, ultimately, to advice or work product delivered to the client.”

Additionally, Michael emphasized the value of working alongside fellow Loyola Law School alumni at Nossaman. He said he worked closely with “Aleene Madikians ’15, on a research memorandum supporting a legal issues motion under Cal. Code of Civil Procedure § 1260.040” and he “also received valuable advice and guidance from other LLS alumni at the firm, including Nossaman’s managing partner, David Graeler ’98, and associate Joshua Imeria-Garcia ’22.” Michael further commented that the projects he worked on at Nossaman helped solidify his decision to become a courtroom-ready litigator.

Michael’s experience reflects Nossaman’s commitment to giving summer associates meaningful work, practical experience and the opportunity to learn from attorneys across the Firm.