Atty. Raffi Melkonian

Atty. Raffi Melkonian

Raffi has broad experience in both trial and appellate matters nationwide. He has briefed and argued dozens of appeals in federal and state courts of appeals around the United States.

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Profile Summary

About Raffi Melkonian at a glance

Raffi Melkonian is a business, litigation, and appellate attorney based in Houston, Texas, practicing at Wright Close Barger & Guzman. Admitted to practice in Texas, State Bar of Texas and New York, New York State Bar. Educated at Harvard University (J.D., 2005) and University of Cambridge (—, 2002). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Awards: (2026). Serands clients in Houston, TX and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Raffi has broad experience in both trial and appellate matters nationwide
  • He has briefed and argued dozens of appeals in federal and state courts of appeals around the United States
  • Raffi also maintains an active practice in the United States Supreme Court, including both merits and amicus briefs
  • In 2019, Raffi briefed and argued Fort Bend v
  • Davis, where his client prevailed in a 9-0 decision written by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
  • The Firm later successfully represented Ms. Davis in her jury trial on remand
  • An elected member of the prestigious American Law Institute, Raffi is widely experienced
  • To take only a few examples, he has handled appeals in securities fraud litigation, corporate governance litigation, employment litigation, antitrust class actions, products liability class actions, insurance coverage disputes, partnership disputes, and intellectual property litigation
  • Raffi regularly litigates the most difficult and complex appellate cases
  • Raffi tweets about appellate practice at @RMFifthcircuit
  • As Social Media Chair and council member of the State Bar of Texas’s Appellate Practice Section, he helps administer the Section’s twitter account @TexAppOrg
  • He is also the Chair-Elect of the Houston Bar Association’s Federal Practice Section
  • Raffi regularly speaks and writes about appeals in forums across Texas and the United States

Practice Areas Explained

Raffi Melkonian's Areas of Practice

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

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Raffi Melkonian is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Texas →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

Raffi Melkonian is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Texas →

Appellate Practice

Appellate attorneys for civil and criminal appeals at state and federal court.

Raffi Melkonian is one of 86,319 appellate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse appellate attorneys in Texas →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Texas

Practicing law in Texas. Legal matters in Texas are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Houston are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Texas state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Texas 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 Texas courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Texas attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Houston or all attorneys in Texas.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Raffi Melkonian

Where is Raffi Melkonian's law office located?
Raffi Melkonian's law practice is located in Houston, Texas. The firm is Wright Close Barger & Guzman. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Raffi Melkonian handle?
Raffi Melkonian focuses on business, litigation, appellate. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Texas.
Where did Raffi Melkonian go to law school?
Raffi Melkonian earned their education at (J.D., 2005); (—, 2002); (M.A., 2001).
How can I contact Raffi Melkonian for a consultation?
You can contact Raffi Melkonian 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 Raffi Melkonian received?
Raffi Melkonian's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice; Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation; Best Lawyers in America — Awards:; Best Lawyers in America — Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators, 2024-2026; Best Lawyers in America — Texas Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2017-2025.

Education

J.D.
Harvard University
- 2005
University of Cambridge
- 2002
M.A.
University of St. Andrews
- 2001

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators, 2024-2026
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Texas Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2017-2025
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top 100 Super Lawyers in Houston, 2020-2023
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Texas Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters, 2016
- 2026

Bar Admissions

Texas, State Bar of Texas
New York, New York State Bar

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