Melvin Burruss of Peekskill earned his Juris Doctorate (JD) from Florida State University College of Law. Prior to entering the legal profession, Mr. Burruss received his Bachelor of Science (BA) from the University of California-Berkeley, and was awarded a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Stanford University School of Business.

Mr. Burruss' practice of law has focused primarily in the areas of insurance, employment, labor, landlord tenant, environmental, contract, and real estate law. Active in various professional organizations, Mr. Burruss is a member of the American Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, New York County Lawyers Association and the Westchester County Bar Association. Mr. Burruss is also admitted to practice in the Federal Courts of both the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, and the United States Supreme Court.

While attending Florida State University College of Law, Mr. Burruss worked for the State of Florida House of Representative's Committee on Insurance, where he analyzed, and drafted legislative bills. He also served as a law clerk for Florida's Department of Environmental Protection, where he researched and wrote memorandums of law on environmental issues and litigation.

Before entering the practice of law, Mr. Burruss served on the Board of Commissioners of the Peekskill Public Housing Authority, and was involved in the development of housing in New York City, Orange, Westchester Counties, and the City of Peekskill. He has extensive experience in the mortgage banking and investment fields, having worked for several major Wall Street banking and investment firms. As an adjunct professor at the University of Texas-Arlington, Mr. Burruss taught business and marketing management.

Mr. Burruss serves on the Board of Directors of the City of Peekskill's Industrial Development Agency, Association of the Black Lawyers of Westchester County, Inc., and the 19th Congressional District's Academy Advisory Board. He also serve on the New York State Commission on Quality of Care for the Mentally Disabled’s Surrogate Decision-Making Committee.

Mr. Burruss is also President of the African-American Men of Westchester, Past President of Peekskill's Phi Nu Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., a member of Corinthian Lodge No. 44 F. & A.M. (P.H.), and serves on Mt. Olivet Baptist Church of Peekskill Senior Usher Board.

Mr. Burruss served in the United States Navy. He was honorably discharged, and awarded the National Defense Medal and Viet Nam Service Medal. Mr. Burruss is married with four children.