About John Robert Merlino
John Robert Merlino JR attended New York Law School, where he completed his legal studies before entering private practice. He returned to the same institution for further study, consolidating his academic foundation in New York. Those years shaped the start of a career spent practicing on both sides of the Hudson.
He moved into firm leadership early. In 2001 he co-founded Merlino & Gonzalez and took a partner role there. The firm grew around a small team of lawyers and staff, and Merlino has remained a principal since the firm’s founding. His work has involved the day-to-day responsibilities of running a private practice and representing clients across a range of matters in state courts.
Merlino is admitted to practice in both New Jersey and New York. He maintains offices under the Merlino & Gonzalez name, including a presence in New Jersey. Over the years he has balanced client work with managing the administrative and strategic needs of a mid-sized firm. That has meant supervising litigation, overseeing transactional matters, and coordinating across offices to ensure consistent handling of cases.
Colleagues describe him as steady in the courtroom and pragmatic at the negotiating table. He has sustained a practice that serves individuals and businesses that require counsel in New Jersey and New York. Merlino continues to practice at Merlino & Gonzalez, operating from the firm’s New Jersey office and other locations under the firm name. He currently concentrates his practice on legal matters in New Jersey and New York.
