Melissa “Mel” Delgado is an attorney who specializes in criminal defense and police misconduct. Mel is admitted to practice in the states of Illinois and Massachusetts. Mel has dedicated her career to ensuring equal treatment within the justice system by safeguarding liberty interests and upholding the rights of individuals. During her education at Loyola University-Chicago School of Law, Mel worked in the Life after Innocence program, where she helped exonerated individuals navigate the legal landscape after being wrongfully convicted. Mel worked as a Public Defender for the city of Boston, where she represented individuals across three district courts, including being instrumental in the development of the city’s mental health courts: “Recovery after Justice” and “Bridges.” Feeling led back to Chicago, Mel brought her passion and fortitude to the Cook County Public Defender’s Office, where she currently works, serving in four major divisions over the last 11 years. Currently, Mel is assigned to the Special Litigation Unit within the Legal Resources Division, which focuses on tracking police misconduct, Due Process violations, and discovery sanctions. Mel has prided herself on the struggles she has overcome personally, the people she has been able help through various programs, clinics, and her job, as well as helping mentor other young attorneys and interns advocate for justice and change.