Atty. Melinda J. Dutton

Atty. Melinda J. Dutton

With extensive public health insurance program and healthcare safety net experience, Melinda Dutton helps clients—including state governments, provider groups and foundations—navigate the legal, regulatory and political challenges of the Affordable Care Act and programs such as Medicaid and CHIP. With her robust experience in Medicaid, CHIP, marketplaces, delivery system transformation and payment reform, healthcare reform implementation is a significant focus of Melinda’s practice.

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Profile Summary

About Melinda J. Dutton at a glance

Melinda J. Dutton is a health care attorney based in New York, New York, practicing at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP. Admitted to practice in New York, New York State Bar Association. Educated at Columbia University (—, 1992). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Health Care Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Administrative / Regulatory Law (2026). Serands clients in New York, NY and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • With extensive public health insurance program and healthcare safety net experience, Melinda Dutton helps clients—including state governments, provider groups and foundations—navigate the legal, regulatory and political challenges of the Affordable Care Act and programs such as Medicaid and CHIP
  • With her robust experience in Medicaid, CHIP, marketplaces, delivery system transformation and payment reform, healthcare reform implementation is a significant focus of Melinda’s practice
  • A frequent coauthor and panelist on emerging trends in the field, Melinda also has served as a guest lecturer for health law and policy courses at colleges and universities, including New York University School of Law, Columbia Law School and New York Medical College
  • She was practitioner-in-residence at Saint Louis University School of Law
  • Prior to joining Manatt, Melinda worked at the Children’s Defense Fund in New York
  • There, she helped develop and secure legislation expanding publicly funded health insurance programs for children
  • Her career in legal advocacy started in Brooklyn, where she helped establish a health law practice serving the borough’s low-income population

Practice Areas Explained

Melinda J. Dutton's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Melinda J. Dutton handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Health Care Law

Health care attorneys for HIPAA, Medicare, Medicaid, regulatory compliance, and medical licensing matters.

Melinda J. Dutton is one of 66,735 health care attorneys indexed nationally. Browse health care attorneys in New York →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in New York

Practicing law in New York. Legal matters in New York are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in New York are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate New York state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in New York brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in New York courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional New York attorneys? Browse all attorneys in New York or all attorneys in New York.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Melinda J. Dutton

Where is Melinda J. Dutton's law office located?
Melinda J. Dutton's law practice is located in New York, New York. The firm is Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Melinda J. Dutton handle?
Melinda J. Dutton focuses on health care. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in New York.
Where did Melinda J. Dutton go to law school?
Melinda J. Dutton earned their education at (—, 1992).
How can I contact Melinda J. Dutton for a consultation?
You can contact Melinda J. Dutton directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Melinda J. Dutton received?
Melinda J. Dutton's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Health Care Law; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:; Best Lawyers in America — Administrative / Regulatory Law.

Practice Areas

Education

Columbia University
- 1992

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Health Care Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Administrative / Regulatory Law
- 2026

Bar Admissions

New York, New York State Bar Association

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