Melvin O. Shaw earned his law degree from University of Iowa College of Law (2004), a Master’s in journalism from the UI, and a Bachelor's in Political Science from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Mel has been a solo practitioner since he opened his law firm in 2006.  

Mel served as the 138th President of the Iowa State Bar Association from 2024-2025, and is a former member of ISBA Board of Governors (2018-2025). He is Chair of the Iowa Judicial Qualifications Commission (2024-2027) having been appointed as member of JQC by the late Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Marc Cady in 2018.  In August 2025, Mel was elected to the Executive Council of the National Bar Association Executive for a three-year term. In January 2024, Mel is a member of the Lawyers Trust Account Commission (Iowa) (2024-2027). 

He is a member of several ISBA committees, including the ISBA Executive Committee and the Access to Justice Committee. Mel is a member of the ISBA’s Business Law, Estate Planning, and Real Estate Law Sections. Mel is the author of the the Iowa Business Law Manual (LexisNexis) (December 2025) that analyzes business entities and transactions common to limited liability companies, corporations and partnerships. Melvin has presented on various probate, business law, and real estate topics for the ISBA, National Business Institute, and other groups since 2006.  

Mel is Chair of the American Bar Association’s General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division (2025-2026). Mel served as a Division delegate to the ABA House of Delegates from 2020-2023. Mel is a fellow of The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation (ABF). The ABF comprises a global honorary society of lawyers, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars. Membership is limited to one percent of licensed U.S. lawyers and a limited number of international lawyers. 

Presentations

“Mend Your Fences and Mind Your Boundaries: A Look at Iowa Case Law on Boundary Fences and the Question of Acquiescence” (2022); “Easements”, University of Iowa Law School CLE (October 2019), “Easements” (Panel Presentation), Iowa State Bar Association Real Estate CLE (June 2019); Limited Liability Companies, “Why Limited Liability Companies” for the National Business Institute (November 2014) The Probate Process from A to Z, “Uncovering the Laws of Intestacy and How They May Apply”, National Business Institute (October 2011) The Probate Process from A to Z, “Determining if Spouse’s Elective Share is a Reasonable Option”, National Business Institute (October 2011) The Probate Process from Start to Finish, “Taking the First Step: Filing an Estate in Probate Court”, National Business Institute (October 2009) The Probate Process from Start to Finish, “Determining if Spouse’s Elective Share is a Reasonable Option”, National Business Institute (October 2009) The Probate Process from Start to Finish, “Determining if Spouse’s Elective Share is a Reasonable Option”, National Business Institute (October 2008)  

Community Focused

Steward at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Iowa City. Co-chair of the Building Expansion and Renovation Project at Bethel A.M.E. Church (2005 to 2010) Trustee, Board of Trustees of The Housing Fellowship (2012 to present) Member, Iowa City Charter Review Commission (2014 to 2015) Member, Board of Directors, Community Foundation of Johnson County (July 2014 to 2017) Grant Allocation Committee, Community Foundation of Johnson County (2013 to 2017) Member, Board of Directors, University of Iowa Black Alumni Association (2013 to 2018) Member, Board for Systems Unlimited, Inc. (January 2014 to September 2014)