Merel Family Law

Yesterday’s CLE was a great time. Steven Albert, MAI, SRA from Allstate Appraisal, L.P. provided us at Merel Family Law with wisdom on valuations and generously hosted a catered lunch. There’s always more to learn and do and be, and that’s what we strive for every single day.

Chicago is home. There’s no place like it. We’ve built our firm from the ground up here. Today’s 312 Day, so here’s to the city that raised us, challenged us, and made us who we are. We wouldn’t have it any other way. Happy 312 Day, Chicago.

Yep, we posted about our 16th Anniversary earlier, but we’re just that excited! It’s our Sweet Sixteen! 16 years of fighting for families. 16 years of growth. 16 years of building something bigger than ourselves. We’re beyond grateful to our clients, our team, and our community for trusting us and being part of this journey. Words cannot express how grateful and thankful we are for everything. We’re only just getting started. Cheers to 16 years of Merel Family Law and many more to come! Stay tuned for more awesome content and updates.

16 years ago today, Merel Family Law was just an idea. The year was 2009. The economy was in shambles, the legal industry was brutal, and starting a firm seemed reckless, but waiting for the perfect time wasn’t an option. Merel Family Law was built from the ground up through relentless work and a refusal to fail. We didn’t have name recognition or endless referrals. We had to prove ourselves every single day by standing by our clients when others wouldn’t and making sure no one walked through our doors feeling alone in their legal battles. 16 years later, Merel Family Law has grown into one of the largest divorce firms in Chicago with a team of 30+ people and has now expanded to Detroit. We’ve built a culture that prioritizes integrity and relentless advocacy both in and out of the courtroom. We are a firm where clients are NOT “another case,” and every single person on our team loves what they do and is driven to make a real difference. A huge thank you to our team, our clients, and everyone who’s been part of this journey. We’re just getting started.

We’ve seen everything in the book when it comes to divorce. We’ve seen it all from exes dodging service, endless excuses, straight-up threats, and yes, even relocating to a different continent just to stall the process and make things harder for everyone. This case is a classic example. Our partner Josephine Norton had a client whose ex refused to cooperate, but she had the divorce finalized in only three months. Shoutout to our amazing team and all our clients who put their trust in us.

Happy International Women’s Day! Merel Family Law was out in full force at the Women's Bar Association of Illinois 26th Annual Judicial Reception because if there’s one thing we take seriously (besides winning cases), it’s showing up where it matters. Our partners Aurelija Fitzpatrick, Jaclyn Desana, and Melissa Caballero Dunn spent the evening connecting and maybe even swapping a few war stories with fellow legal pros. Always a great time being in a room full of people who live and breathe the law. Shoutout to the WBAI for putting together an incredible event. Until next time!

Sometimes happiness was just on the other side of the divorce papers. Cue the newfound freedom, the fresh starts, and the realization that your life wasn’t actually the problem…

Running a business is hard. Going through a divorce while running a business is another level. In this edition of the Merel Minute, David Zwaska breaks down the tough realities business owners face in divorce from what’s at stake, what courts consider, and how to protect what you’ve built. Check it out!

We’re honored to be featured in Hour Detroit Magazine! As we mentioned yesterday and for those who don’t know, Merel Family Law is now in Troy, Michigan. For 15 years, we’ve built a reputation in Chicago for handling complex family law cases with skill and care, and now we’re bringing that same level of expertise to Metro Detroit! Grateful for the warm welcome and excited to serve this community. See our featured page here: https://lnkd.in/ghQddKeb

Chicago turns 188 today. A city built on resilience, reinvention, and straight-up grit. A city that never slows or backs down and always sets the bar higher. Here’s to the place we call home. Happy Birthday, Chicago.