Mel Orchard

Mel Orchard has been trying cases throughout the United States for over 24 years – the past 14 of which were as one of Gerry Spence’s partners.  Mel is also senior faculty at Gerry’s Trial Lawyer’s College (TLC) in Wyoming, is on the Board for TLC and presents legal education seminars throughout the country.

During his trial career, he has been a part of record breaking civil jury verdicts in various jurisdictions (Wyoming, Arizona, and Iowa). He also devotes significant time to pro bono work through Lawyers and Advocates for Wyoming, and many local and national charities.  Mel lectures and presents to various legal organizations, including Bar Associations, Leadership Organizations and Judicial Ethics to judges.

Mel is a Past President of University of Wyoming College of Law student body (1991), Past President of the Wyoming Trial Lawyer’s Association (2000) and a current Governor to the American Association of Justice (2005 to Present). He is also Board Certified as a Trial Attorney by both the National Board of Trial Advocacy and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) where he is currently the Wyoming Chapter President.

He is the immediate past Chairman for the Wyoming Commission for Judicial Conduct and Ethics where he served as a member for six years after appointment. Mel is “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell, and has been selected as a Rocky Mountain “Super Lawyer” for multiple years.