Melanie Del Rizzo, Q.C. was born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. She graduated with a B.Sc. (Hons) from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1989, obtained her LL.B. from McGill University in 1994, and was called to the Newfoundland and Labrador Bar in 1995.
Ms. Del Rizzo is a senior partner with the St. John’s law firm of Smyth Woodland Del Rizzo Barrett. She has developed an extensive practice primarily devoted to family law and is a certified mediator. A member of the national executive of the Canadian Bar Association Family Section since 2009, Ms. Del Rizzo is past Chair of that Section, and has also served on the CBA’s National Sections Subcommittee.
Amongst other board and volunteer commitments, Ms. Del Rizzo served as a member of the City of St. John’s Heritage Committee for 12 years, on student councils for 9, and is a recipient of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Gordon M. Stirling Distinguished Service Award but is most proud of her 34 seasons (and counting) playing with the Gower Youth Band and Gower Community Band.
She is married to John Del Rizzo and is mom to Amelia (20) and Gabe (19).