Jonathan Krell, Esq., is a guardian ad litem attorney with nearly two decades of experience advocating for children and families in Washington, D.C. custody disputes. For a copy of his CV, click here.
Since 2005, Jon has represented the best interests of children in abuse, neglect, contested adoption, guardianship, custody, and termination of parental rights cases. His work includes conducting in-depth investigations, evaluating the safety and well-being of children, advocating for appropriate services, and litigating to ensure the best possible outcomes for his clients. He has extensive experience in high-conflict custody cases, often navigating complex family dynamics, mental health concerns, domestic violence issues, and parental fitness disputes. His advocacy extends beyond the courtroom, as he works closely with service providers, schools, and child welfare agencies to develop comprehensive support plans for children. Additionally, Jon has significant appellate experience, having argued multiple cases before the D.C. Court of Appeals.
Jon currently maintains a private practice focused on custody and abuse/neglect guardian ad litem work while continuing to serve as a Senior Attorney with the Children’s Law Center. In this role, he has trained and mentored attorneys on best practices in child advocacy, trauma-informed representation, and evidentiary issues in litigation. He has developed and led numerous attorney trainings on critical issues such as assessing the impact of trauma on children, advocating for youth aging out of the foster care system, and navigating the complexities of mental health considerations in custody disputes. (This website is part of Jon's private practice and not affiliated with the Children's Law Center.)
Jon’s legal career began as a labor and employment attorney at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, where he gained extensive experience in complex litigation, workplace investigations, and client counseling. He worked on cases involving employment discrimination, wrongful termination, and labor disputes. His commitment to pro bono work was recognized when he was awarded the Stark Ritchie Award for Excellence in Pro Bono for his role in a capital murder trial that ultimately led to a significant U.S. Supreme Court decision on third-party guilt evidence. As part of the litigation team in Holmes v. South Carolina, Jon helped shape an argument that subsequent attorneys on the case relied upon in winning a unanimous Supreme Court decision protecting the rights of criminal defendants to present evidence of alternative suspects. This experience strengthened his ability to analyze complex legal issues, develop persuasive arguments, and advocate for justice in high-stakes cases.
Jon earned his J.D., with Honors, from George Washington University Law School, where he was the Production Editor of the George Washington Law Review, and his B.A. in Psychology and Government from Wesleyan University. His combined background in law and psychology informs his holistic approach to child advocacy, ensuring that legal arguments are grounded in an understanding of child development, trauma, and family dynamics.
Prior to law school, Jon had extensive experience working with children. Whether as a basketball coach, a YMCA camp counselor, or floor staff at the renowned Boston Children's Museum, Jon has been young at heart ever since he was actually young. Playing hoop with clients is an occasional treat.
