The Mellino Law Firm congratulates partner Calder Mellino on receiving continued recognition for his work representing victims and their families after preventable harm. These latest honors add to Calder’s growing record of professional awards and legal leadership as one of Ohio’s leading medical malpractice lawyers.
From Rising Star to Super Lawyer
Calder earned his designation as a Rising Star for seven consecutive years before being named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list in 2026. This achievement underscores Calder’s ongoing dedication to serving those who are at risk, as well as his role as a leader in the legal field. Not more than 5% of all lawyers in any state make it to the Super Lawyers List.
Calder Mellino Included in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
Furthermore, Calder was chosen for the listing in the seventh edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, specifically for medical malpractice law. This accolade has been awarded to him annually since 2023 and is based on the organization’s Purely Peer Review® process, where an attorney’s competency is evaluated by peers who practice in the same geographic area and field of law. The fact that Calder has been included on the list every year speaks volumes about the professional respect he has gained from his peers.
Legal Advocacy That Reached the Ohio Supreme Court
Calder’s legal work has also contributed to the development of Ohio law. In 2022, Calder authored an amicus brief for the Ohio Association for Justice and Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys, which was submitted to the Supreme Court of Ohio.
The court agreed with the position held in the brief that if attorney fees are awarded along with punitive damages in a case, then the winning party is also eligible for reasonable attorney fees if they then have to defend the judgment. In simple terms, this reduces the financial burden plaintiffs face if the unsuccessful party appeals.
Read more: Attorney Calder Mellino Helps Establish Case Law with Amicus Brief
Additional Awards and Professional Recognition
Calder has also remained active in organizations dedicated to trial advocacy, professional development, and access to justice, including:
- Ohio Association for Justice Amicus Curiae Committee
- American Association for Justice
- Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
- Ohio State Bar Association’s Access to Justice Committee
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association NonProfit Legal Resource Committee
Leadership in the Cleveland Community
Calder’s leadership extends beyond his legal practice and into the Greater Cleveland Community. He’s a member of the Access to Justice Committee at the Ohio State Bar Association, where he helps address issues that may make it harder for Ohio residents to understand and use the legal system. That same year, Calder was also a part of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Leadership Academy and the Cleveland Leadership Center’s Civic Leadership Institute.
Other affiliations include:
- United Way Emerging Leaders Cabinet
- West Side Catholic Center Governance Committee
- Community West Foundation
- Northeast Coalition for the Homeless Development Committee
- United Way of Greater Cleveland
Continued Commitment to Ohio Patients and Families
Calder’s professional honors support the broader mission of The Mellino Law Firm: protecting the rights of people harmed by medical negligence and other serious wrongdoing. To learn more about Calder or speak with the firm about a potential case, contact us at (440) 333-3800.