Jaclyn R. DeSana

Jaclyn R. DeSana

also known as Jackie DeSana

4.9
Rating: 7.2

Licensed for 9 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Chicago, IL
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Child Custody

440 W Randolph St., 5th Floor, Chicago, IL

About Jaclyn

Biography

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 300-300 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Illinois for 9 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 2016

Active and Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

Location

Merel Family Law

440 W Randolph St., 5th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60606

Law Offices of Jonathan Merel - Highland Park Office

595 Elm Place, Suite 225, Highland Park, IL, 60035

Merel Family Law

40 E. Hinsdale Ave, Suite 202, Hinsdale, IL, 60521

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Jaclyn R. DeSana's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

27 Client Reviews

5 star (26)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by Benjamin | November 20, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Direct, honest, helpful, and professional

Jaclyn was the epitome of professionalism, bringing genuine care and guidance through a painful and difficult process. Jaclyn and her team helped me through my recent divorce proceedings and gave prudent council during some frazzling moments along the way. Once an agreement was reached, she was abl...e to very quickly move through the legal process and ensure the case was wrapped up in a very efficient and timely manner. If you're looking for someone who knows how to get the job done, look no further! I cannot recommend Jaclyn highly enough.

Posted by Gayatri | March 31, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Highly Recommend Jackie – Trustworthy and Compassionate

Going through a divorce is never easy, especially when you're an immigrant unfamiliar with the legal system. I’m so grateful I found Jackie and the team at Merrel Law Firm. From the very beginning, they guided me through every step of the process and helped me understand the rules and procedures here... in Illinois. Jackie was not only an incredible attorney, but also a truly empathetic and supportive person. She stood by me during one of the lowest points in my life. What made a huge difference was that I could trust her completely—I never had to worry about the little things in my case. She took care of everything with professionalism and confidence. While I focused on healing emotionally, she and her team handled the legal side with care and efficiency. Jackie was always reasonable, never pushed the case unnecessarily, and kept communication clear and minimal—just enough to keep me informed without running up legal costs. In a time when I felt vulnerable, Jackie became my strength.

Posted by Sarah | January 26, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

This is the lawyer you're looking for!

Jaclyn got me through an absolutely heinous divorce. She saw me through the darkest of days and I always knew she had my back. She always provided the soundest advice and her strategic thinking helped wrap up a divorce that it seemed the other side would never let end. She was exceptional at answerin...g my myriad of questions (I’m a very technical person who wants to fully understand everything before signing) and I was always able to reach her for input, even on short-notice situations. If you’re going through the wringer with your divorce, I can’t recommend her enough.

Posted by Mila A | December 21, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Highly Recommend for Anyone Navigating Divorce

Going through a divorce was one of the most challenging and emotional experiences I faced, and I am so grateful I had Jaclyn and her incredible team by my side. From the very beginning, she was compassionate, understanding, and deeply invested in helping me navigate this difficult chapter of my life.... Her expertise and professionalism were evident in every step of the process, and she made me feel supported and informed at all times. She truly listened to my concerns and worked tirelessly to protect my interests while guiding me through decisions with clarity and care. I highly recommend Jaclyn and her team to anyone facing the challenges of divorce. Their dedication, skill, and compassion make them exceptional advocates, and I am forever grateful for their help during this difficult time.

Posted by Lilian | November 21, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Family Law Case

I had the pleasure of working with Jaclyn & Colette and their team for my family law case, and I couldn't be more grateful for their professionalism, dedication, and support throughout the entire process. From the very beginning, they were clear and thorough in explaining my options and kept me infor...med every step of the way. They were responsive to all of my questions and made sure I understood everything, which gave me peace of mind during a difficult time. The team worked efficiently and effectively, ensuring that everything was handled properly, and they took the time to address any concerns I had. I truly appreciate their attention to detail and their commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for me and my family. I highly recommend Jaclyn & Colette and their team to anyone seeking legal help in family law matters. They truly care about their clients and work hard to get results.

See All Client Reviews

Jaclyn R. DeSana's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Jaclyn
Kathleen Buchanan Bondi headshot
Kathleen Bondi

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jun 21

Relationship: Co-worker

"Jackie is very attentive to her client's needs and works diligently to protect their interests. She is a pleasure to work with."

Hannah Jane McKinney headshot
Hannah McKinney

Family lawyer | Jun 21

Relationship: Co-worker

"Jackie cares about her clients and works hard to advocate on their behalf."

Monika M. Blacha headshot
Monika Blacha

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jun 21

Relationship: Supervised lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer."

Erin Victoria O'Connell headshot
Erin O'Connell

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jun 13

Relationship: Co-worker

"Jackie is a terrific attorney with great enthusiasm for this area of law and all of the matters she handles. She is extremely bright and hardworking and helps facilitate excellent results for her clients."

View All Endorsements
Colette Gallo headshot
Colette Gallo

Divorce and separation lawyer

Monika M. Blacha headshot
Monika Blacha

Family lawyer

Erin Victoria O'Connell headshot
Erin O'Connell

Family lawyer

Kathleen Buchanan Bondi headshot
Kathleen Bondi

Family lawyer

Hannah Jane McKinney headshot
Hannah McKinney

Divorce and separation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  7.2 (Very Good)

Work Experience

2022 - Present

Adjunct Professor, DePaul University College of Law

2020 - Present

Attorney, Law Offices of Jonathan Merel, P.C.

2017 - 2020

Attorney, Blacha Law Office

2016 - 2017

Volunteer Recruitment Specialist, First Defense Legal Aid

2015 - 2016

Intern, Cook County Public Defender's Office

Associations

2018 - Present

DuPage County Bar Association

Member

2016 - Present

Women's Bar Association of Illinois

Member

2016 - Present

Chicago Bar Association

Trial Advocacy Committee

2016 - Present

Chicago Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section

Member

2013 - Present

Chicago Bar Association

Member

Education

2016

John Marshall Law School, Chicago

JD - Juris Doctor

2012

Wayne State University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2017

Illinois Appellate Defender Annual Training

Defending Client's Rights in Police Custody

2017

Chicago Bar Association, Criminal Law Committee Monthly Meeting

Knowing your Client's Rights When Stopped or Detained by Chicago Police

2017

ACLU Chicago Chapter Luncheon

Defending Client's Rights in Police Custody

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution