Biography
Melia Cerrato is an Assistant Professor of Law. Before joining Lewis & Clark Law School, Professor Cerrato was the Sunshine Legal Fellow at Tulane Law School’s First Amendment Law Clinic. She provided legal representation to journalists and citizens in matters of Free Speech, accessing government records and open meetings. She supervised students in the Clinic and educated journalists, student attorneys, and citizens about their rights under the First Amendment and Louisiana Sunshine Laws. Prior to that position, Professor Cerrato was a private practitioner representing families of children with disabilities throughout Louisiana and individuals seeking access to public records. She represented families in expulsion hearings, at IEP meetings, and in suits against school districts. In addition to her legal experience, she has a master’s degree in education and was a certified special education teacher in New Orleans public schools.
Professor Cerrato’s scholarship interests include Free Speech rights and education law.