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. 

Additional Staff

Bankruptcy Paralegal

Skye Prater has been with Merrie Chappell Law, PC since 2014 starting as the firms domestic relations and estate planning paralegal. Skye will be there to guide you through the complicated process of completing the bankruptcy questionnaire, means test calculations along pre and post counseling requirements.