Mr. Merrell focuses his practice in three primary areas of the law:
Civil Litigation of many areas of civil law including mediation and the litigation phases of Breach of Contract, torts, Divorce and Family Law and Homeowner Insurance denial claims. The firm has been successful in defending clients against lawsuits worth millions of dollars and has recovered over 10 million dollars for plaintiff clients. Divorce matters have ranged in protecting or obtaining small assets to Millions of dollars and protecting your rights to your children and visitation. Our firm represents nearly of businesses defending them against liability, creating limited liability companies and other incorporation and assist with drafting their contracts and handbooks. As a trained mediator, Mr. Merrell is ready to assist you and/or your attorneys resolve your civil litigation matter in a mediation. The office has unique and comfortable space for mediation and even trials in Domestic Relations with Judge Palmer as a private judge and mediator.
Criminal Law handling your common traffic tickets as well as many first-degree felonies, including, assault, terrorism, sex offenses, theft of property, identity theft and drug and marijuana charges. He is an advocate the U. S. Constitution and in particular the 1st and 2nd amendments.
Appellate Practice which deals with filing of cases to the Civil Court of Appeals in Montgomery. We will assist you as an individual or as the Appellate team working with your trial attorney to attempt to reverse any errors arising out of your litigation. Mr. Merrell has had success including 5 cases reach opinion in the last two years including 2 Alabama Supreme Court cases (Breach of contract construction and probate) that were reversed and a Court of Civil Appeals case reversed (Domestic Relations). Additionally, several cases have been remanded after successful appellate mediation.
Mr. Merrell's work history prior to becoming an attorney includes nearly 10 years in the criminal justice system working as a police officer, member of the coast guard (aux), detention officer and instructor. He is also a board member for Just Keep Smiling, a charitable organization assisting children with medical needs. He has over nine years' experience in the insurance industry handling homeowner claims. He has more than 15 years' experience coaching and working with youth at the YMCA, youth sports, travel softball and High school football. He was a member of the Birmingham School of Law's Honor society, graduating as the organization's treasurer, and had also served as special prosecutor on the Honor Court. Mr. Merrell spends all of his time outside of the office with his family, especially his daughter who is a talented softball player. He loves college football in the fall, hockey in the winter and enjoys history; in particular Gettysburg, Williamsburg and England.
Areas Of Practice
- Civil Litigation
- Appellate (Civil Appeals)
- Contracts
- Divorce/Family Law
- Criminal Law
- Insurance Law (Property/Homeowners)
- Mediation
Education
- Birmingham School of Law, Birmingham, Alabama
- Juris Doctor
- Honors: Member, Birmingham School of Law’s Honor Society
- Honors: Treasurer, Birmingham School of Law’s Honor Society
- University of Alabama
- B.A., Bachelor of Arts
- Major: Criminal Justice
Classes/Seminars
- Peyton Pruitt Rally “Mental Health in Justice” 2016, Speaker
- Brown Mackie College “3 branches of government” 2016, Speaker
- Fortis College “Business Formation” 2015 & 2016, Speaker
- Brown Mackie “Search & Seizure and gun control” 2015, Speaker
- Program Advisory Committee, Brown Mackie College, Member
- Program Advisory Committee, ITT Technical Institute, Member
Honors and Awards
- Super Lawyers - Rising Star, 2018
- Top Attorney - Civil Litigation , 2018
- Super Lawyers - Rising Star, 2019
- “Lead Counsel Rated” in Civil Litigation and Family Law
- Super Lawyers - Rising Star, 2020
- Super Lawyers - Rising Star, 2021
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Alabama Bar Association, Member
- Law School & Legal Education Task Force, Member, 2016 to 2017
- Birmingham Bar Association, Crisis Relief Committee, Member
- American Bar Association, Member
- Alabama Association for Justice, Member
Pro Bono Activities
- 2016 Pro Bono Small Firm of the Year awarded by the Birmingham Bar Association