Jonathan Merel

Jonathan Merel is the founder of Merel Family Law and an experienced attorney who advocates for his clients in all divorce and family law proceedings, including settlement negotiations and trials. He founded the firm in early 2009 after working for many years at another family law firm in Chicago, and through hard work and unwavering dedication to his clients, he has grown it into one of the premier divorce and family law firms in the Chicagoland area. Jonathan has extensive experience obtaining favorable outcomes in multi-million dollar marital estates and contested custody suits, now known in Illinois as the allocation of parental responsibilities. His ability to settle heated divorces and custody disputes has earned 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, his experience as a zealous litigator in the courtroom has produced outstanding results for his clients. 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, he has an impressive track record of protecting his clients' best interests and helping them meet their legal goals. Jonathan is recognized as a thought leader in family law throughout the nation. He has appeared on the Today show and been covered by the Wall Street Journal and Crain's Chicago Business. He was listed as one of the Top 5 Lawyers to Seek in 2025 by MSN and is a frequent guest on many top-rated podcasts. Over the years, he has built a wealth of knowledge in family law and relishes any opportunity to share it with those who need it. Jonathan earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin and his Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law. He is admitted to practice in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.