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Our Attorneys

Jonathan Merel

Founder and Managing Principal
Our Team of Attorneys Provide Professional, Reputable and Approachable Legal Counsel to All of Chicagoland.

About Jonathan Merel

Jonathan Merel is an experienced attorney who advocates for his clients in all divorce and family law proceedings, including settlement negotiations and trials. Jonathan founded Merel Family Law in early 2009 after working for many years at another family law firm in Chicago. Through his hard work and unwavering dedication to his clients, Jonathan has quickly grown the firm to become one of the premier divorce and family law firms in the Chicagoland area.

Jonathan has a great deal of experience in obtaining favorable outcomes for his clients in multi-million dollar marital estates and contested custody suits (custody is now known as the allocation of parental responsibilities in the State of Illinois). His ability to settle heated divorces and custody disputes has gained him a great deal of respect from fellow attorneys and judges within the Chicagoland legal community. When settlement is not a viable or reasonable option, Jonathan’s experience as a zealous litigator in the courtroom has produced outstanding results for his clients.

Always committed to his clients and their causes, Jonathan’s philosophy is to build strong, trusting relationships with his clients, founded on compassion, sound legal strategy, and open and frequent communication. Known as a skillful and aggressive negotiator with strong tenacity, Jonathan has an impressive track record of protecting his client’s best interests and helping them meet their legal goals.

Jonathan is seen as a thought leader in family law throughout the nation after appearances on the Today show, coverage by the Wall Street Journal and Crain’s Chicago Business. He is also a frequent guest on many top-rated podcasts. Over the years, he has built up a wealth of intimate knowledge of family law, and he relishes any opportunity to share it with those who need it.

Recognitions

Superlawyers
leading lawyers
US News best lawyers badge 2023
avvo 10.0 rating badge
Lawyers of Distinction 2023 badge
top 1 percent 2023 badge
expertise.com Best Divorce Lawyers in Chicago badge

Education

  • Bachelors: University of Wisconsin
  • Juris Doctor: Chicago-Kent College of Law

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois
  • Michigan
The Family Law Team at Merel Family Law
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