Melinda D. Blackwell is a member in the boutique property tax law firm of Blackwell & Duncan, PLLC. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University – Shreveport with a degree in Sociology and a recipient of her Juris Doctorate from Baylor University School of Law. Melinda is admitted to practice in Oklahoma and Texas, U.S. Supreme Court, U. S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit and the U. S. District Court, Northern District of Texas. She has been heavily involved in property tax disputes throughout Texas for over twenty years. Upon graduating from law school in 1990, Melinda worked as an attorney for the Law Offices of Earl Luna until 1995. During that time, she represented appraisal districts, taxing units, and other government entities with property tax issues. In 1995, Melinda joined Brusniak | Backwell, PC and became a partner in 2003. In 2013, Melinda formed the firm of Blackwell & Duncan, PLLC.
She is the past Chair of the American Bar Association, Section of Real Property, Property Tax Committee; the past Vice-Chair of the American Bar Association, Section of Real Property, Land Use and Environmental Group, the past Chair of the American Bar Association, Section of Real Property, Land Use and Environmental Group, and the current Vice-Chair of the State Bar of Texas, Section of Taxation, Property Tax Committee; a member of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation; the Texas Association of Assessing Officers; and Texas Association of Property Tax Professionals.
Resumé
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
American Bar Association, Section of Real Property, Property Tax Committee (1997 to date) (Chair: 2005 – 2008)
American Bar Association, Section of Real Property, Land Use and Environmental Group (2008 to date) (Vice Chair: 2008 to 2010)(Chair: 2010 to 2012)
State Bar of Texas, Section of Taxation (Member) (1997 to date)
State Bar of Texas, Section of Real Property (Member) (1998 to date)
State Bar of Texas, Section of Taxation, Ad Valorem Tax Committee (Member)
State Bar of Texas, Section of Taxation, Property Tax Committee (Member) (Vice-Chair: 2009 to date)
Institute for Professionals in Taxation (Member) (1998 to date)
Texas Association of Assessing Officers (Member)
Texas Association of Property Tax Professionals (Member)
SPEECHES
Academic
Texas A&M University, Annual Legal Seminar on Ad Valorem Taxation (2004)
Bar Associations
American Bar Association, Real Property Section, Spring CLE (2008)
American Bar Association, Real Property Section, Webinar (2008)
American Bar Association, Real Property Section, Case Law Panel (2007)
State Bar of Texas, Annual Seminar on Ad Valorem Taxation (2006 and 2007)
State Bar of Texas, Advanced Real Estate Seminar (2009)
Professional Groups
Institute for Professionals in Taxation, Tax Symposium (2005)
Institute of Real Estate Professionals (Instructor 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009)
National Business Institute – Appeals and Judicial Remedies (2004)
Texas Association of Assessing Officers (2006, 2007 and 2008)
Texas Association of Appraisal Districts (2008 and 2009)
International Association of Assessing Officers (2012)
Governmental and Other Entities
Lorman Education Systems, State of Texas Taxation (2005 and 2008)
