Mel B. Zhang
Partner
Chicago Office
141 West Jackson Boulevard Suite 1575
Chicago, Illinois 60604
Melissa "Mel" B. Zhang is a partner in the Chicago Hub of Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A., where she represents businesses, corporations, and individuals in complex civil litigation matters. Her practice focuses in high-stakes personal injury cases involving motor vehicle accidents, EVs and lithium-ion batteries, construction-related injuries, workplace incidents, and wrongful death claims, employment issues, fraud, and contractual disputes.
Ms. Zhang's career is marked by an exceptionally diverse background, having navigated the complexities of everything from plaintiff's personal injury and insurance defense to family law, commercial litigation, real estate transactions and criminal defense. This multifaceted experience provides her with a holistic understanding of the law, allowing her to craft innovative and effective litigation strategies that anticipate challenges from every possible angle.
Before focusing on insurance defense, Ms. Zhang was a partner at a general practice firm and ran her own successful solo practice, where she honed her skills across a wide array of legal disciplines including family law, personal injury, criminal defense, real estate transactions, trust and estates, and contractual disputes. By representing clients on both sides of the courtroom, Ms. Zhang brings a decisive edge to every case. This rare dual experience in personal injury and wrongful death litigation provides a 360-degree understanding of legal tactics, enabling her to secure exceptional results—from winning complete defense jury verdicts to obtaining over 8.9 million in settlements for her clients.
She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa College of Law, where she received the Dean's Award for Scholastic Excellence. While attending law school, Ms. Zhang was actively involved in The Equal Justice Foundation, Pro Bono Society, Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity, International Law Society, and the Asian American Law Student Association.
Fluent in Mandarin and proficient in Japanese, Mel enjoys connecting with people from all backgrounds. Outside of her legal practice, she enjoys traveling, cooking, music, and spending time with her dogs.
Ms. Zhang is admitted to practice law in the state of Illinois, Iowa and before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
Representative Trial Cases:
- Originating (signing the client) and completing significant work on a plaintiff's wrongful death case, which resulted in an $8.9 million settlement after four years of litigation.
- Obtaining summary judgment in favor of a defendant subcontractor in Cook County and winning the appeal to the First District Court of Appeals.
- Obtaining a defense verdict for a local grocery store in Pike County in a slip and fall case at jury trial as second chair.
- Co-counseled in one of the most extensive two-month divorce trials in Rock Island County.
- Participated in negotiating a $350,000 medical malpractice settlement in favor of client
- Successfully negotiated settlements for several clients who suffered from flooding, against the City of Milan, which led to reform to prevent further flooding.
