Melissa Koelsch is an Austin-based attorney with West, Webb, Allbritton & Gentry, P.C., and practices full-time from the Firm’s Central Austin office. Melissa serves as a local point of contact for the Firm’s Austin and Central Texas clients, offering practical, relationship-based legal guidance.

Her history with West Webb began long before she became an attorney. Melissa grew up in Waco, Texas, and earned her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University. As a Texas A&M student, she worked as a runner for West Webb for three years. After graduating from Texas A&M, Melissa returned to Waco to attend Baylor University School of Law. Upon graduating from Baylor, she returned to College Station and joined West Webb as an attorney in 2018. Her practice now continues from Austin as part of the Firm’s growing presence in Central Texas.

As part of her employment practice, Melissa helps business clients address employment-related issues before they become lawsuits, including employee disputes, workplace policies, risk management, and related concerns. Her experience representing clients in litigation gives her a practical understanding of how workplace issues can escalate, how claims are evaluated, and how decisions made on the front end can affect the outcome of a later dispute. Melissa brings that same practical, litigation-informed approach to her broader practice, which includes administrative proceedings, higher education matters, professional liability matters, real estate and property-related disputes, and general civil litigation.

She prides herself on her ability to help clients understand the issue they are facing, evaluate their options and risks, and develop a practical strategy for moving forward. In Austin, that often means serving as the first point of contact for clients or referral sources, helping determine what kind of legal support is needed, and connecting the client with the right attorney or practice group within the Firm when appropriate.

Melissa attributes her interest in the law to her great-grandfather, the late Honorable Richard Charles Spinn, of Brenham, Texas. Judge Spinn served as the Washington County Attorney from 1935-1940 and the Washington County Judge from 1941-1954. Melissa credits her great-grandfather for inspiring her to pursue a career as a lawyer. Melissa and her family regularly spend time in Brenham, Texas, at the family’s ranch originally established by her great-grandparents.

Melissa currently lives in Central Austin with her husband, Philip Koelsch, and their two sons. Melissa is a proud Aggie, Philip is a proud Longhorn, and they are raising their boys in a house divided. Melissa and her family regularly attend the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd and are active members of Great Hills Country Club. Melissa is also a member of the Junior League of Austin and serves on the Austin Bar Association Foundation Board of Directors.