Shareholder Melanie Leitman Elected Vice President of America’s Second Harvest of the Big Bend

America’s Second Harvest of the Big TALLAHASSEE, FL— September 24, 2026— Stearns Weaver Miller announced that Shareholder Melanie Leitman, after being elected to the position earlier this year, has assumed the role of President of America’s Second Harvest of the Big Bend (“SHBB”). SHBB is a Tallahassee-based non-profit within the Feeding America network that provides healthy food for vulnerable neighbors, including children, seniors, veterans, and low-income families facing hunger and food insecurity throughout 16 counties in its Big Bend service area. SHBB serves as a hub for over 149 smaller frontline agencies, such as emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and children’s homes.

Melanie has served on the SHBB Board of Directors for seven years, including as Secretary since 2021 and Vice President since 2024. Her tenure has been defined by the organization’s successful $16 million capital campaign, which secured critical funding from private donors, business partners, and both state and federal appropriations. The culmination of this effort is the completion of a 28,000-square-foot expansion of its facility, more than doubling the size of the current facility. The new Impact Center will feature dedicated volunteer and office spaces and the expansion allows for an increase in both dry and refrigerated storage capacity alongside imminent construction of a production kitchen, significantly expanding SHBB’s regional reach.

In addition to Melanie’s involvement, the firm’s Tallahassee office regularly volunteers for the organization, including hosting food drives and distributing food at SHBB’s annual Thanksgiving meal distribution, which feeds thousands of families locally. To learn more about America’s Second Harvest of the Big Bend, click here.

In addition to her involvement with SHBB, Melanie is a leader in several other organizations positively impacting the Tallahassee community. Melanie serves as President of the William H. Stafford American Inn of Court and is a member of Tallahassee Women Lawyers (TWL). She is also a Co-Founder and Director of the Bridge to Law School Program, an initiative that integrates academic preparation, mentoring, and professional development to demystify the law school application process, the law school experience, and the practice of law for first-generation college students.

Melanie’s legal practice focuses on employment defense litigation and human resources consultation. She represents clients in various employment-related claims, including Chapter 760, Title VII, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, whistleblower retaliation claims, drafting and enforcement/defense of covenants prohibiting competition, and constitutional claims arising out of employment disputes. She also handles civil and administrative litigation, covering state constitutional issues, general business and contract disputes, and state and federal appellate advocacy. Melanie is a Certified Information Privacy Professional and advises clients on data privacy and risk management concerns. From 2015-2021, Melanie was recognized as a Rising Star in Florida Super Lawyers and has been named as one of The Best Lawyers in America® since 2024.