Melissa L. Bustarde Esq.

Melissa Bustarde started with Mayfield Bustarde, LLP (formerly Mayfield & Associates) in 2004 as a Law Clerk while she attended California Western School of Law. While at Cal Western, she made the Dean's List every semester and graduated Cum Laude and was the recipient of numerous scholarships and awards. After passing the California Bar Exam on her first attempt, Ms. Bustarde remained with the firm as an Associate Attorney. She was made a partner in 2012 and the firm was re-named Mayfield Bustarde, LLP. Ms. Bustarde performs extensive work in both transactional and litigation matters for the firm. In her transactional practice, Ms. Bustarde forms corporations, LLCs and other entities, performs corporate audits, and annual maintenance on corporations and other entities by noticing and conducting Board of Director and Shareholder meetings, and drafting minutes. In addition, she prepares corporate documents subsequent to the formation, such as Stock Purchase Agreements, and Stock Option Plans and related documents. She will also prepare the dissolution documents or contracts and corporate documents in connection with the sale of the business. Ms. Bustarde also engages in contract drafting and review, including leases, and Independent Contractor or Consulting Agreements. She also drafts and reviews contracts in the employment area such as Master Employment Agreements and Employee Handbooks. Ms. Bustarde places particular emphasis on working with the firm's clients on issues relating to trademarks and copyrights, including registration, licensing and infringement. Ms. Bustarde also represents the firm's clients in their disputes with a third party. Whether or not litigation has commenced, she strives to reach an informal resolution. However, if settlement has not been achieved and a lawsuit is filed, then she is fully prepared to litigate the case, either in court or in arbitration. Ms. Bustarde is very active in the legal community. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the North County Bar Association, in addition to co-chairing the Business Law Section and Legislative Committee and serves on several other committees. She also performs extensive volunteer work, including serving on the Board of Directors for three other non-profits (Women in Business, San Elijo Elementary Parent Teacher Organization and Vistancia Homeowners Associations), serving as co-leader of her daughter's Brownie Girl Scout Troop and is active in Women of Wonder, a North County based community service group that does quarterly service projects. Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees Melissa L. Bustarde Esq. included in a Super Lawyers® list Other Sources of Feedback About Melissa L. Bustarde Esq. Included on the 2026San Diego Super Lawyers list Past Lists 2025 San Diego Super Lawyers list

• Partner

• Mayfield Bustarde, LLP, Law Clerk, 2004 - Present

• Women in Business, 2013 - Present
• San Elijo Elementary Parent Teacher Organization
• Vistancia Homeowners Association
• Women of Wonder

• California, 2005
• U.S. District Court Southern District of California, 2005
• U.S. District Court Central District of California, 2007

• State Bar of California, Business Law Section, December 1, 2005 - Present
• San Diego County Bar Association, December 1, 2005 - Present
• North County Bar Association, December 1, 2005 - Present
• American Bar Association, Business Law Section, December 1, 2005 - December 31, 2008
• Association of Business Trial Lawyers, December 1, 2005 - December 31, 2008
• North County Women in Networking, Member, Executive Board, April 1, 2010 - December 31, 2012
• North County Bar Association, March 1, 2011 - Present (Co-Chair, Business Section)
• Business Networking International-Carlsbad, February 7, 2013 - Present
• Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, June 1, 2014 - Present
• Lawyers Club, July 1, 2015 - Present
• North County Bar Association, Co-Chair, Legislative Committee, 2015 - Present
• North County Bar Association, 2013 - Present (Member)
• North County Bar Association (Board of Directors)