About Us

Merrie Chappell

Merrie L. Chappell was a paralegal prior to law school and has now been practicing law for 25 years. Initially, as a bankruptcy attorney and since practicing in Taos, Merrie’s family law practice flourished. In part, due to her extensive litigation experience and in part, due to her hearing officer experience. Merrie’s general philosophy is that a child needs two healthy parents and she will diligently pursue that objective. In cooperation with her trial experience, her mediation skills contribute to an easily obtainable uncontested divorce.

Experience

Insurance Defense for Self Insured Debtor through the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Mexico 1994-1999
Medical Malpractice Attorney in Los Angeles, California 1997-1999
Construction Litigation 1994-2004
Family Law Litigator in the First, Second, Fourth and Eighth Judicial District Courts of New Mexico 1994-2006 & 2010-Present
Debtor Representation in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Mexico 1994-2006 & 2010-Present
Non-consumer Debtor Representation and Commercial Creditor Representation 2010- Present
Domestic Violence Attorney 1994-2006 & 2010-Present

Professional Activities and Honors

Managing Editor, Idaho Law Review
Who’s Who Among American Professionals
Domestic Violence Special Commissioner for the Eighth Judicial District Court Domestic Relations Hearing Officer for the Eighth Judicial District Court BV
Distinguished Very High Rating Both in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards (Martindale-Hubbell)
Coalition Against Domestic Violence Recognition
Community Against Violence Advocate

Our Team

Firm Operations Director

Joshua Brock began working with Merrie Chappell in January of 2016 as a HR/Office Manager. Joshua now supports administrative tasks related to new client on-boarding, existing client relations, and firm scheduling . Joshua continues to provide firm business operation support through oversight and execution of human resources and payroll, firm finance and client accounting, data/records management, and regulatory compliance functions.

Senior Paralegal

Glee Soto began working with Merrie Chappell in January of 2011 as a receptionist and administrative assistant. Glee now supervises two additional paralegals, prepares all child support documentation and worksheets, drafts complex domestic relations pleadings and bankruptcy complaints and performs audits for billing and court affidavits. Merrie Chappell Law, PC is fortunate Ms. Soto is dedicated to the practice and our clients

Domestic Relations Paralegal

Collin Soto began working with Merrie Chappell Law, PC in October 2017 as the domestic relations paralegal. Collin is responsible for drafting all initial petitions and motion packets for custody, divorce, and other family law matters. Collin files all family law pleadings through Odyssey and serves the opposing party and client. Our firm is thrilled Collin is the direct contact for our clients and able to assist them through the process.