Our Staff

Melanie Chaput - Attorney

Background

Attorney Chaput graduated from Canisius College in 1994.  After graduation she moved to Washington, D.C. and worked with the International Human Rights Law Group, a human rights organization with offices all over the globe.  It is here that she gained an interest in working with immigrants and refugees.  While in law school Attorney Chaput worked as the Organizer for Immigrant Household Workers in New York City and published a Guide to Employing Household Workers.  Also while in law school Attorney Chaput worked with the Law Office of Regis Fernandez in a landmark immigration case In re: Hany Kiareldeen, opposing the use of secret evidence for a stateless Palestinian. 

After graduating from law school, Attorney Chaput began work for the International Institute of New Hampshire assisting low-income immigrants with their immigration cases.  Attorney Chaput started the first free legal program for immigrant victims of domestic violence in the State of New Hampshire. 

In 2003, Attorney Chaput began to work at Bailinson, Capuchino & Leary, P.C.  She represented clients in immigration, family law, and other civil matters.  

Attorney Chaput was featured on the popular television show Forensic Files, Season 19, episode 14, "Sunday's Wake".  Check her out on an episode of Forensic Files: https://www.amazon.com/Sundays-Wake/dp/B01LVYMQF0/ref=sr_1_2?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1544628289&sr=1-2&keywords=Sunday%27s+Wake

This was a heart-wrenching case of a refugee child who died from lead poisoning.  The story details how those responsible for this were brought to justice. 

Attorney Chaput co-counseled a successful case before the U.S. District Court of New Hampshire against the State of New Hampshire's anti-immigrant drivers' license policies.  She also has argued before the New Hampshire Supreme Court in a personal injury case.

Attorney Chaput is currently an adjunct professor at Southern New Hampshire University.

Bar Admissions

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1999

State of New Hampshire, 2003

U.S. District Court of New Hampshire, 2003

First Circuit Court of Appeals, 2004

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, 2003

Experience

Bailinson, Capuchino & O’Leary, Manchester, NH

International Institute of New Hampshire, Manchester, NH

Law Office of Regis Fernandez, Newark, NJ

Center for Immigrants Rights, New York, NY

International Human Rights Law Group, Washington, DC

Education

Rutgers School of Law, Newark, NJ (J.D. 1999)

Canisius College, Buffalo, NY (B.A. 1994)

Douglas Chaput - Office Manager

Mr. Chaput graduated from the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH with a degree in Economics and Mathematics in 1986.  He had a distinguished twenty year career as a process engineer at various local companies. He joined the Chaput Law Office in 2007 and has put his excellent management and math skills to work.  Mr. Chaput is responsible for scheduling, billing, accounting and various other paralegal duties.  He enjoys classic arcade games and is bound to make you laugh at least once while you are in the waiting room!

Cristina Rivas - Legal Assistant

Cristina Rivas is a dynamic professional with a diverse background and a strong foundation in customer service, organizational management, and bilingual communication. Fluent in Spanish, Cristina possesses exceptional skills with over five years of experience in customer service roles. Graduating from Nashua High School in New Hampshire, Cristina has a multifaceted career journey, displaying versatility and adaptability in various roles. Her family is from El Salvador and she is a dance instructor for quinceaneras!  Feel free to dance in the lobby where she will be happy to greet you! 

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