Melba V. Pearson, Esq.

Bio

Melba Pearson is a civil rights and criminal law attorney, policy expert, writer, and public speaker with a distinguished career spanning over two decades. A New York native, she has called Miami home for over 20 years. She earned her undergraduate degree from New York University and obtained her Juris Doctor from Hofstra University (now Maurice A. Deane School of Law).

Ms. Pearson is the Director of Prosecution Projects at the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy at Florida International University (FIU). In this role, she co-manages the Prosecutorial Performance Indicators (PPI) project, which is funded by the John T. and Catherine D. MacArthur Foundation. The project focuses on enhancing prosecutorial efficiency, effectiveness, and fairness through data-driven research, technical assistance, and community engagement. She also oversees technical training and policy initiatives related to prosecution and criminal justice reform.

Previously, Ms. Pearson was the Deputy Director for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida, where she played a critical role in the passage of Amendment 4 in 2018—a landmark voting rights amendment that restored voting access to individuals with felony convictions in Florida. She also worked extensively on criminal justice reform, policing policies, and expanding voter access. Before her tenure at the ACLU, Ms. Pearson spent 16 years as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami-Dade County, where she prosecuted a range of cases, including serious domestic violence crimes and homicides. She was instrumental in revamping the Community Prosecution Unit, fostering collaboration between law enforcement and local communities. Her prosecutorial career culminated in her role as Assistant Chief in the Career Criminal/Robbery Unit, where she supervised attorneys and handled high-profile homicide cases.

A sought-after legal analyst and public speaker, Ms. Pearson has been featured in national and international media, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, Essence Magazine, The Huffington Post, The Miami Herald, and Ebony Magazine. She has appeared as a regular guest on CourtTV and Law & Crime, providing expert analysis on legal trends. Known as "The Resident Legal Diva,” she is a co-host of the YouTube channel “Court Authorities” on Meidas Touch Network, and also shares insights on legal and social issues through her YouTube show “Mondays With Melba”. In addition, she has been a panelist and keynote speaker at prestigious forums and conferences.

Ms. Pearson is an adjunct professor at FIU’s Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, the University of Phoenix, and Bryant & Stratton College, where she teaches law and criminal justice courses. Her writings on legal issues, police encounters, domestic violence, and criminal procedure have been widely published in academic and mainstream outlets. She is the editor and author of "Can They Do That? Understanding Prosecutorial Discretion," a comprehensive guide to prosecutorial decision-making. 

Beyond her legal and academic contributions, Ms. Pearson is a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession. She has held leadership roles in numerous organizations, including serving as President of the National Black Prosecutors Association, the National Black Prosecutors Foundation, and the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association in South Florida; Vice Chair of the Florida Justice Center; Co-Chair of the Prosecution Function Committee and member of the governing Council of the American Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section, ascending to Chair of the section for 2025-2026. 

Education:

• Juris Doctor, 1997 – Hofstra University (Maurice A. Deane School of Law), New York
• Bachelor of Arts in Metropolitan Studies, Politics, and Psychology, 1994 – New York University College of Arts and Sciences, New York

Ms. Pearson continues to be a powerful voice for justice reform, voter rights, and equity, using her expertise to shape public policy and mentor the next generation of legal professionals.