Chicago is a brutally competitive market, and yet… Jonathan Merel survived the odds and built a colossal family law practice with 23 attorneys spanning three offices. In today’s episode of the GLF podcast, Sasha Berson and Jonathan explore how the latter went from maxing out credit cards in 2009 to leading a multimillion-dollar firm powered by the right culture and relentless marketing.

📰 About Jonathan Merel:

Jonathan Merel is the founder and managing partner of Merel Family Law, ranked among Chicago’s top 5 family law firms. What began in 2009 as a two-person operation has grown into a powerhouse with 23 attorneys, 40+ team members, and three offices across the city. He is living proof of what happens when you build a reputation on culture, client service, and relentless marketing.

👉 Sasha and Jonathan explore:

— Why culture and hiring the right people are the backbone of your growth.

— The client-generating tactics that still work: community events, sponsorships, and grassroots visibility.

— Why reputation and reviews matter more than any ad campaign.

— How shifting from lawyer to CEO will transform the way you run your firm.

👉 Main Takeaways from the Episode:

— Audit your firm’s culture: question if your current team reflects the values you want to scale.

— Start building visibility today: sponsor one local event or attend a networking group.

— Treat marketing as a non-negotiable investment. Even a small budget compounds.

— Shift into CEO mode by delegating one task this week so you can work on the business, not just in it.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave a review and subscribe so you never miss an episode. For more information and links to all of the resources mentioned in today’s episode, visit https://growlaw.co/

📞 Connect with Jonathan Merel:

• Website: https://merelfamilylaw.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanmerel

📞 Connect with Sasha Berson:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grow-law/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grow_law/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@growlaw

• Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/growlaw

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: (312) 854-7724

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