Meet Meridth Hammer

Meridth serves as First Deputy General Counsel to the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County (“CCC”), one of the largest court systems in the country. In this role, Meridth brings unique insight into the administration of justice and the systems that support it. Meridth provides counsel on the development and enforcement of office policy, crisis management, and legislative platforms.  She represents the Clerk of the Circuit Court in collective bargaining negotiations and arbitrations. Her legal career spans the areas of labor and employment law, probate, mortgage foreclosure and real estate law, contract law, and trust and estate planning.

Prior to joining the CCC, she served as Supervising Administrative Law Judge to the Illinois Department of Employment Security where she supervised more than 11 Administrative Law Judges, and adjudicated labor and employment law issues. 

Meridth is admitted to practice law in Illinois, Indiana, and the District of Columbia. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Purdue University and earned her law degree from the IU Robert McKinney School of Law. Her background in both law and software development have allowed her to work at the intersection of technology and justice—most notably as in-house counsel and primary deal negotiator for CA Inc., a $4 billion New York-based software company, where she closed more than $50 million in contracts.

In 2009, Meridth founded The Hammer Legal Group in Indianapolis, a successful firm that has served clients in both public and private sectors. Under her leadership, the firm secured high-impact contracts, including a compliance monitoring engagement for Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority and legal counsel to Indiana’s Office of Medicaid Policy & Planning, where she helped recover over $500,000 for the state. She also served as escrow agent for IHCDA, overseeing accounts payable and cash management functions.

From 2013 to 2015, Meridth served as an Administrative Law Judge for the City of Indianapolis’ Department of Code Enforcement, where she rendered impactful decisions, including the high-profile case involving Broad Ripple Village Taxi.

Beyond the Courtroom

Meridth’ s work extends beyond the courtroom. Meridth is active in the community and works with several organizations. Currently she serves as General Counsel for the Coalition of African-American Leaders, State Chair for IVI-IPO, is a member of Democratic Women of the South Suburbs, a member of the NAACP Chicago Far-South Suburban Branch and many other community organizations. 

Meridth is currently in her second appointment on the hearing board of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Board (ARDC), the board who, through the authority of the Illinois Supreme Court, is responsible for the registration and discipline of attorneys in the state of Illinois. 

Meridth actively works with and mentors youth, especially young women aspiring to become lawyers to change the world.

Meridth was born and raised in Indianapolis by her parents, Wade and Barbara Jeannette Hammer. After law school, she moved to Washington, D.C., but returned home in 2001 to care for her mother, who was diagnosed with leukemia. Her mother’s strength and perseverance throughout her 19-year health battle continues to inspire Meridth’ s work and commitment to serve.

Meridth co-founded Project5000 Inc., a real estate development firm with a bold vision: to create 5,000 new homeowners in Indianapolis and other major cities across the country. Through this initiative, she led seminars on legacy-building, wealth creation, financial empowerment, and personal development.

A lifelong advocate for access and equity, Meridth serves as legal advisor to the YouTube channel Professor BlackOps, which explores the intersection of technology and the justice system. Her contributions to the platform cover timely topics like conducting remote hearings, employee protections during the pandemic and beyond, and the impact of digital systems on access to justice.

Through her legal practice, entrepreneurial ventures, public service, and community education, Meridth Hammer remains deeply committed to empowering the underserved and underrepresented—and to bringing integrity, innovation, and compassion to the bench.