Family Appellate Attorneys

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...

Laude Harturm IV is a dedicated attorney practicing family law in Chicago, IL. Laude’s approach to family law is both comprehensive and client-centered. After graduating from the University of Michigan in 2017 and DePaul University College of Law in 2020, Laude was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2021. During law school, Laude worked as a law clerk at several family law firms and the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services. Additionally, Laude served as a judicial law clerk at the Circuit Court of Cook County Domestic Violence Division. Before joining Merel Family Law, Laude was an associate attorney at a small family law firm in Chicago, where he worked on numerous family law matters involving complex financial issues and contentious custody disputes. Laude understands the emotional toll that family law cases can take on clients and the importance of the case’s outcome to their family’s future. As such, Laude takes his responsibility seriously to advocate for the best interests of his clients with tact and civility...

My name is Brad Kaye and I am a family law attorney. The most important thing in selecting an attorney is finding someone who is the right fit for you. I am a tireless advocate for my clients. I can always be reached. I'm always early, never late. Plus, while you should never trust anyone who guarantees you an outcome in court, I can promise that I'll always protect your interests. If you are looking for an attorney who will give it to you straight and never forgets the human element of all family law matters, then I am the right fit for you. Please give me a call today to discuss whatever your issue is, and I'll do my absolute best to make any problem, no matter how challenging, as painless and cost-effective as possible.

Andrew Ference concentrates his legal practice in all aspects of family law. Aggressive, while still being pragmatic, he uses his knowledge of the law and experience in court to promote and pursue the interests of each client. He successfully represents clients in financially complex litigation, contested custody issues, orders of protection, business valuations in divorce cases and custody evaluations. Andrew has been recognized as an Illinois Super Lawyer Rising Star by Thomson Reuters Mr. Ference prides himself on maintaining open communication with clients and understanding the goals and concerns of each person he represents. Using each client’s input and knowledge, along with a practical and realistic survey of the facts and circumstances of their case, he strives for results through attention to detail, preparation, and negotiation. While always prepared to pursue each client’s interests in court, Mr. Ference works to resolve each issue with expeditious and zealous advocacy in the way that best suits a client’s goals.

Morgan L. Stogsdill’s practice primarily focuses in the areas of matrimonial law and family law, which includes various aspects of dissolution of marriage and paternity proceedings involving the issues of child custody, support, visitation, property division, divorce-related financial issues, post-dissolution matters, prenuptial/postnuptial agreements, and order of protection related to civil litigation. Ms. Stogsdill has a working style that is hands-on, direct, and genuine, assuring her clients are supported every step of the way from the beginning of the case and through conclusion. As the Head of Beermann’s Family Law Group, Ms. Stogsdill is accustomed to managing complex cases with high standards and expertise. As a mother herself, she is well-aware of what it takes to maintain the integrity of a family and her goal as a lawyer is to do whatever is needed to gain the best outcome for her clients and the children involved. Having litigated over forty-five jury trials and settling hundreds of cases, Ms...

Mr. Field helps navigate the unique complexities involved when medical needs, disability, domestic violence, substance abuse, dependent adult children, or other complicating factors are present in a client’s family. Mr. Field routinely lectures to both lay and legal groups on various family law topics. He was selected in 2010 by Law Bulletin Publishing Company as one of the Top 40 Attorneys Under Forty in Illinois. Additionally, Mr. Field was named a Rising Star in the area of Family Law by Super Lawyers Magazine every year since 2009, which is a designation reserved for the top 2.5% of attorneys in Illinois under the age of 40. Mr. Field consistently earns a 10 star (out of 10 possible) rating from former clients and fellow family law attorneys on the online AVVO attorney rating site and has been named a Leading Lawyer every year since 2011. He is also AV Peer-Rated by Martindale-Hubble, the highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that the lawyer’s reviewed peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence for his legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards...