Although her official start date is Nov. 1, Melanie Marsh has already made a smooth transition into the county attorney role.
“It is my job to help the commission accomplish their goals and objectives within the confines of the law as I interpret it,” said Marsh.
In April, commissioners decided to stay in-house to fill longtime County Attorney Sandy Minkoff’s position upon retirement and unanimously tapped Marsh, who had served as deputy county attorney since 2004. “Melanie is a great attorney and on top of that she has the experience and she’s got the institutional knowledge,” said Commissioner Leslie Campione, who is also a practicing attorney. “I think this is a win-win for the county commission.” Marsh said her current office is managed much like any other law office. “We work well together,” said Marsh. “We come to work and do what is required to help get the job done. We have a great office and working environment.” In addition to the Board of County Commissioners and its departments, the county attorney’s office also provides legal counsel to the Clerk of Courts, Supervisor of Elections, Property Appraiser, Lake EMS, the Lake-Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the various advisory committees established by the Board of County Commissioners. Marsh is a native of the Florida public schools system, having graduated from Oviedo High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Florida majoring in Social Work, and her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Stetson University, St. Petersburg where she ranked 21st in her class. She was admitted to The Florida Bar in November, 1998. She started her career in Lake County as an assistant county attorney in 1998. She has long been an active member of the community in Lake County, including volunteering for Lake County Schools, Take Stock in Children, the Kiwanis Club and more.
