Melanie Turnbull is an Assistant Federal Public Defender in the District of the Virgin Islands. She earned her B.S. from Hampton University in 2006. She earned her J.D. from Campbell University, Norman Wiggins School of Law. After law school in 2013, she relocated back to her hometown to begin her legal career. She served as a judicial law clerk to Honorable Justice Ive Arlinton Swan, Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands from 2014-2015. She then became an Assistant Territorial Public Defender serving indigent and underrepresented clients for three years. In 2018, she transited into her current role at the Federal Public Defenders Office. For the past seven years, she has zealously represented indigent individuals charged with federal felonies in all stages of litigation, from investigation through trial and sentencing.

As a career defender, Melanie brings ardent advocacy and passion to courtrooms as she vigorously seeks justice for individuals charged with committing federal offenses as a career defender. However, her passions are not only confined to the courtroom and may be seen in her active service within the local community.

Melanie has previously served as mentor leads in the Junior Achievement Program, serves as head coach in the Virgin Island’s Bar Appellate Moot Court Competition, served as a committee member in the American Cancer Society, a member of Sister 2 Sister, and as a current board member for the Office of the Territorial Public Defender. She is a member of the Virgin Islands Bar Association and holds licenses to practice law in Virginia and the Virgin Islands.