Merel Family Law
Merel Family Law is a premier family law firm serving the Chicagoland and Metro Detroit areas, founded by attorney Jonathan Merel in 2009. With a team of 21 attorneys and four convenient office locations, the firm has built its reputation on providing professional, reputable, and approachable legal counsel to families navigating some of life's most challenging transitions.
Under the leadership of Founder and Managing Principal Jonathan Merel and Managing Partner Melissa Caballero Dunn, Merel Family Law has served over 6,000 clients and earned more than 250 five-star reviews. The firm's tagline—"Your Family In Family Law®"—reflects its commitment to treating every client's family matters with the care and attention they deserve.
The firm handles all aspects of family law, with particular expertise in divorce, high net worth divorce, child custody, alimony, property division, and prenuptial agreements. Merel Family Law has also established itself as a leader in LGBTQ family law, helping same-sex couples navigate divorce proceedings, custody arrangements, and second-parent adoptions with the same dedication provided to all clients.
The firm's legal team includes ten partners—Marleena Broekema, Jaclyn DeSana, Aurelija Fitzpatrick, Bradley R. Kaye, Ashley Margason, William McSurley, Josephine Norton, Paige Ryterski, Annemarie Tarara, and David Zwaska—along with numerous associates, all bringing decades of combined trial experience to family law matters throughout Illinois and Michigan.
Merel Family Law has earned recognition from Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Leading Lawyers, Lawyers of Distinction, and Expertise.com, and maintains a 10.0 Avvo rating along with BBB accreditation. The firm has been featured in Hour Detroit, The Wall Street Journal, WGN, Today, and MSN.
With offices in Downtown Chicago, Highland Park, Hinsdale, and Metro Detroit (Troy, MI), Merel Family Law offers 24/7 live answering and is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST. Whether clients are facing a complex high-asset divorce, custody dispute, or any other family law matter, the firm's attorneys work directly with families to protect their assets, their children, and their futures.
