Donna Merrell

Attorney At Law

Attorney Donna Merrell is a dedicated, thoughtful, legal professional who spent nearly a decade as a Georgia prosecutor. The Criminal Defense Bar and the judges she appeared before have described her as an ethical, fair, and compassionate prosecutor who tempered justice with mercy. Donna leverages her extensive prosecutorial background and invaluable insight into the criminal justice system to advocate for her clients to receive the best possible outcomes for their cases.

Donna was inspired to change sides to become a criminal defense attorney because of a family member who encountered the criminal justice system in another state. Donna observed the zealous advocacy of that criminal defense attorney on behalf of someone she loved and is paying it forward by advocating for every one of her clients with the same zealous advocacy and compassion that attorney demonstrated to her loved one. Donna's clients agree she has found her calling.

Donna knows that facing a criminal charge is often frightening and stressful. While no criminal defense attorney can guarantee a specific outcome in any criminal case, Donna will partner with you to achieve the best outcome she can for you. Every client's case has different facts and circumstances. Donna will keep you informed about your case and is available to speak with her clients personally.

Donna is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and is admitted to practice in all Georgia courts, including the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, the Georgia Supreme Court, and the Georgia Court of Appeals. She is also a member of the State Bar of Florida and briefly practiced law in Florida in 2022 before returning home to Cobb County, Georgia. Finally, Donna joined The Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers so she can collaborate with the best criminal defense attorneys in Georgia.

Education

Donna graduated from The University of South Carolina School of Law. She served as the Associate Justice for Writing and Research for The Moot Court, competed on the National Moot Court Competition Team, and was inducted into The Order of Barristers. She completed an internship with the South Carolina Disciplinary Counsel, which oversees lawyers’ ethics. She earned two CALI Awards (highest grade in her class) in Trial Advocacy and Interviewing, Counseling, and Negotiation.