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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

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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

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Jaclyn R. DeSana's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

28 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (28) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 6 reviews | Responsiveness

Posted by anonymous | March 08, 2026 | Hired Attorney

Excellent, Engaged, and Knowledgable Ally

If you need an attorney for family law, you're likely in an unfortunate and stressful situation, and in that case, I highly recommend Jackie and her coworkers to work with you. She made an anxiety-inducing situation manageable, and fought for our family, while also managing realistic expectations wi...th us. I have worked with other family law professionals, and they did not hold a candle to Jackie and her team. Jackie is highly communicative, engaged, passionate, and knowledgable. I cannot recommend her enough.

Posted by Sarah | January 26, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

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 Lilian | November 21, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Family

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.

Posted by anonymous | May 18, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Family

Great experience

Jaclyn DeSana's representation was exactly what I needed. She represented me in a Family court case with a very difficult Baby mama. Jaclyn made sure I understood everything and gave me options for each issue. She always communicated and answered all my questions. She consistently provided excelle...nt service with compassion, professionalism and expertise. There was never a court date that she was not prepared for and I was 100% satisfied with her work and determination on my case. I recommend Jaclyn to anyone looking for a family law attorney.

Posted by SHEILA | July 22, 2020 | Child Custody

Awesome lawyer. I totally recommend for your family law needs!

I had a tough relocation case, and had to go to court to file the papers my ex husband signed for our two children so I can relocate them out of state, and the one my ex boyfriend signed for our son. The clerks office at the courts gave me unneeded paperwork to also file, told me some wrong informati...on, and gave me the run around. Jaclyn was amazing at emailing me back right away, answering all my questions, doing phone conferences with me, telling me I didn't need to go through all that and what I SHOULD do, and helped me correct what the clerks office messed up, or I would have been going through court dates, and unneeded drama. I am so grateful I had Jaclyn by my side the entire time. She had my back, knew exactly what she was doing, gave me the right advice and told me what to do and when, and was amazing at saving me money so I didn't have to pay thousands for something I was able to do on my own. She isn't like most lawyers who are all about the money. If she can help you get something done with low costs, she totally will! And, she's super kind. I can't tell you how grateful I am for her in both of these cases. I didn't need to go to court with the dads like the clerks office said I would. With Jaclyn's help, the judges signed off on both cases - no court dates needed - and I am able to move out of state with my kids legally. As a single mom who doesn't have a lot of money to spend on a lawyer, she made this so easy and fast for me. HIRE JACLYN, and you WON'T be disappointed.

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 V. 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 V. 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

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