her mother lisa lapointe. her mother lisa lapointe.ere was a kid who didn't really finish high school. she got the ged ticket -- >> correct. she didn't plan to be a high school dropout. she was in a hurry to get on with life. >> reporter: and focused enough, finally, to finish college and then in her late 20's go for a law degree. she breezed past the younger law students to become the prestigious editor of the law review. and she caught the eye of one of her professors, scott rothstein, who took her on as an intern. office manager debra villegas met her on her first day of work. what did melissa bring to the party? >> she was smart and capable. you know, you -- she was everything you would want in -- in an -- an associate attorney. >> reporter: she was also one of the nicest people debra says she ever met. the two became fast friends. >> we were like sisters. she knew all my faults and flaws and -- and she loved me anyways. >> reporter: debra and melissa saw the firm grow tenfold in just a few years. their gregarious boss, scott, was