The Gittins & Dukes Team

Lucy Dukes graduated from the Gonzaga University School of Law in 2013 and began practicing law soon thereafter at the Law Office of David A. Gittins. Lucy became a partner at Gittins & Dukes, PLLC in 2019. Her mentor, David, retired in early 2020. Lucy has practiced solo as the principal attorney at Gittins & Dukes since then.

 

Before she became a lawyer, Lucy was a newspaper reporter for the Hagadone News Network. She was the first female editor of the Bonners Ferry Herald, a newspaper which was more than 100 years old, and also reported for the Bonner County Daily Bee and the Coeur d’Alene Press. This taught Lucy the importance of each individual’s experience, how to stand up to people, and how to meet deadlines; values and skills she finds very useful as a lawyer.

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Lucy enjoys exercise, spending time outdoors, driving her convertible Mustang with the top down on sunny days, her beloved dogs, and most of all, her family.

Melissa Svancara (swan-sara) is a Rule 9 Licensed Legal Intern focused on family law and civil matters.

 

A member of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes and a J.D. Candidate at the University of Idaho College of Law, Melissa brings years of legal experience as a former paralegal and civil deputy. She is committed to helping families navigate difficult legal issues with clarity, compassion, and respect. Her work is grounded in a passion for breaking cycles of generational trauma and using the law to promote healing and long-term change in our community.

 

Born in Southern Idaho and raised in the Lewis-Clark Valley, Melissa is a dedicated mother of two daughters and a son. She is also an active member of organizations such as the YWCA of Lewiston-Clarkston and Native Action Network.

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Outside of work, Melissa enjoys spending time with her kids, lifting weights, creating art, and learning.

Josh is an experienced legal assistant, having worked in law offices since high school, and for Gittins & Dukes since 2013.

 

Any question he can't answer himself he will be happy to take detailed notes so that Lucy can provide expert legal advice.

 

Josh enjoys the culture and climate of Clarkston, and especially loves going for walks along the Greenbelt Trail.