ABOUT
MISSION
STATEMENT
Providing innovative outside general counsel to those who want a principled partner, not just a lawyer.
VALUES
ETHICS. TRUST. HONOR.
Merritt Law aims to shift the perception of attorneys today. Founded by renowned Austin corporate attorney Johnny Merritt, our team works with clients to evaluate what is right and wrong, and to integrate this guiding principle throughout every action and decision in service of client success.
We truly believe relationships power results, and we prioritize personal connections with our clients.
MEET
JOHNNY MERRITT, Owner & Attorney
About Johnny
Founder Johnny Merritt is an Austin attorney with over three decades of experience in complex corporate and real estate matters. For the majority of his career, he has also served as outside general counsel for billion-dollar companies involved with interstate commerce. A native of West Texas, Johnny credits herding livestock across native pastures with his family for giving him a keen understanding of the importance of teamwork and loyalty in every endeavor.
Having served clients for over 30 years, Johnny has seen the advantages and disadvantages of the currently developed methods of legal representation. While maintaining an appreciation for the historic traditions and methods of his profession, Johnny believes that clients’ legal needs can often be better served through providing an on-demand, as-needed outside general counsel relationship. Johnny’s outside legal counsel emphasizes authentic attorney-client relationships over monetary gains.
Johnny began his legal career as a litigation attorney, gaining proficiency in attention to detail and effective client communication. He has been a transactional attorney for more than 20 years, concentrating in ongoing business operations, organizational structuring, mergers and acquisitions as well as real estate purchases, sales, leases and development. This experience has provided him with a vast network of legal specialists ready and able to assist clients.
Johnny expanded his legal career to Austin and started Merritt Law, where he manages the firm and oversees a variety of legal matters. Through his years of legal work, Johnny has also gained experience relating to fiduciary duties of officers, managers, directors, members and shareholders of business organizations. He utilizes this in-depth look at high-trust relationships to direct and connect with his clients.
In addition to his legal work, Johnny is also passionate about and donates time to Scatter, an organization that exists “to connect Jesus-followers across the globe, helping them to steward the good that they were made for.”
Johnny received his law degree from Texas Tech as a member of the Order of the Coif. He and his high school sweetheart have been married over 40 years. Their grown children Annie and John David both live in Austin. He is also a member of Austin Ridge Bible Church.
CONNECT WITH JOHNNY
Johnny Merritt
“The best service I can often provide to clients is to simply take time to listen, then stop and think about the best course of action for their particular needs.”
Attorneys
ZOË FEDDE, Partner
About Zoë
Zoë Fedde has been with the firm since its inception in 2021 and is the newest Partner of Merritt Law. Zoe graduated from Baylor Law School where she served as a technical editor on the Baylor Law Review, pursued a real estate and natural resources track, and received the highest grade in two of her environmental law courses.
Zoë’s practice areas focus on commercial real estate transactions, high-value asset acquisitions, complex contract drafting and negotiation, employment issues, and technology and privacy law matters. She is in the process of obtaining her CIPP/US (Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States) certification and enjoys continually evolving her practice. Zoë is eligible to counsel clients in, and is licensed in both, Texas and her home state of Colorado. Clients that work with Zoe rave most about her reliability, transparent communication, and thoroughness.
In her spare time, Zoe enjoys volunteering with the Baylor Law transactional program, running with her German Shepherd, Astro, and international travel with her husband and extended family. To reach Zoe, you may call the main line at 737-279-7290.
JD MERRITT, Attorney
About JD
JD Merritt graduated from Baylor Law School in 2021, where he was a semi-finalist in the Fall 2019 Dawson & Sold LLP Moot Court Competition. He was the Inaugural President of the Baylor Law School Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta. He enjoys engaging in legal research, interacting with clients, and drafting legal documentation.
JD began his professional career as a Legal Advisor at Alorica, where he evaluated breach of warranty and Lemon Law claims against General Motors. He then worked as an associate attorney for Walters Balido & Crain and LeCrone Law Firm, where he specialized in personal injury, transportation and automobile, commercial litigation and engaged in estate planning. Further honors include the Austin Center for Faith & Work 787 Fellowship (2025-26) and the Austin Bar Association/Austin Young Lawyers Association Leadership Academy (2026). He has found a fondness and passion for landlord/tenant law and hopes to grow his practice in that area.
Born and raised in Texas, he loves college football. JD also enjoys exploring small towns and dabbling in photography.
Staff
ANNIE MERRITT, Legal Assistant
About Annie
Annie expands her passion, management and organizational skills from theatre to the legal profession. Annie’s gift as a performer from a young age allowed her to perform as an actor, singer and dancer in several locals, including NYC. Because of her natural skills and passion, Annie was given the opportunity to pursue and obtain a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance with a minor in Executive Stage Management from Abilene Christian University.
Although Annie continues to enjoy performing locally, she now focuses her professional managerial, organizational , and technical skills toward Merritt Law and its clients. Annie has years of experience not only managing professional service organizations, but also the knowledge and skills to directly address client needs.
Annie’s management style seeks to help everyone at Merritt Law work as a cohesive team by complimenting their individual and unique talents. Because of this focus, Annie has developed a keen understanding of the real estate and business legal work Merritt Law performs. As a result, Merritt Law’s clients will interact with Annie when communicating with the firm about management items and then see her assist with complex legal matters. Thus, Annie continues to enjoy performing in different “parts”.
When not pursuing her current passion of serving the attorneys, professionals and clients of Merritt Law or performing in local theatre productions, Annie’s focus is on her dog Bodie, her family, her friends, her garden, and her collection of old books.
CAREER
OPPORTUNITIES
SHIFT THE LEGAL PARADIGM
Interested in practicing a different kind of law? As a principled legal partner, Merritt Law puts a focus on what is right, good, and in the best interest of our clients. Reach out for more information about career opportunities today!
CONTACT
For all general inquiries, please enter your information in the form.