The rise of mediation and alternative dispute resolution methods in family law cases has been a notable trend in recent years. These approaches offer an alternative to traditional litigation and aim to facilitate a more amicable and efficient resolution of family disputes.
“I work with families to reduce and minimize conflict, which in turn dials back the overall heartache and misery not just in the families I serve but also in the schools, workplaces, and greater communities where my clients and their children work, live and play,” shares Jonathan L. Felt – Attorney, Mediator, and Guardian ad Litem. Through his firm, Felt Family Law & Mediation, he assists individuals and families in managing and minimizing the stress and conflict that come with custody and divorce cases.
Client-centric Law & Mediation
Jonathan established Felt Family Law & Mediation with the aim of assisting families in navigating the stress and difficulties arising from custody disputes and divorces. Felt Family Law & Mediation, founded by Jonathan in 2016 at the historic Ben Lomond Hotel in Ogden, Utah, has expanded its presence. The firm now operates from two offices, one in Ogden and a newly established branch in Syracuse, Utah.
The company is uniquely positioned in Syracuse, one of the fastest growing towns in Utah, located roughly mid-way between two of Utah’s largest cities. “While assessing the legal landscape, we realized a complete absence of other attorney offices in the area and knew Syracuse was the perfect location to expand. We opened our Syracuse, Utah, branch office in February 2023 and have almost doubled our business in less than a year.”
Jonathan is an experienced teacher who loves children, and this helps him understand their best interests and the impact of family legal issues on both children and parents. He leads a team of knowledgeable attorneys who specialize in providing mediation and legal services for family law cases and believes that a good family lawyer always prioritizes the needs of families.
Speaking of the challenges on the way, he admits that learning about sales was a task that he had to work on. “Law schools don’t teach a lick about sales or salesmanship. I read many great books on the topic and worked with a business coach to really understand how to market not only my firm but also how to champion my business model: that my clients can “win” more by fighting a little less,” he shares. Acquiring knowledge of sales principles and techniques elevated my business from being quite good to transforming it into an exceptionally successful law firm.
Core Values
Felt Family Law & Mediation is guided by core values that prioritize assisting families, prioritizing service over profit, and maintaining strong connections within the broader legal and family services community. Unlike numerous law firms that thrive on conflict, Felt Family Law & Mediation uniquely concentrates on mitigating family disputes, ultimately reducing the time, financial resources, and relational strain clients might otherwise expend in court.
“We would much rather help a parent save money and take their kids to Disney World or anywhere else fun than to spend any more of their hard-earned money on us than they must. We would rather help a lot of people save money than drain all the money from just a few. Keep the money in the family – where it can help do the best,” explains Jonathan.
One of the biggest challenges faced by a divorce lawyer is navigating the complex emotional dynamics that arise during divorce proceedings. The firm helps families save time and relationships while navigating the (often) difficult process of divorce or custody cases. Taking cognizance of the point that usually nobody wins in family court, they help families win by championing early dispute resolution and reasonable settlements. “We help parents avoid and minimize the financial, emotional, and relationship costs of going to court,” Jonathan says.
Service to the Community
Jonathan has dedicated himself to various community roles, ranging from teaching and military service to coaching youth and assisting in special education, prior to pursuing a career in law. He actively supports causes related to civil rights, social action, education, and human rights. Jonathan has held leadership positions such as Utah Bar Dispute Resolution Section President (2021-2022) and Weber County Bar President (2020).
Additionally, Jonathan has contributed to the Utah Bar Young Lawyer’s Committee from 2015 to 2017. His commitment to excellence is evident through multiple awards, including ABA national Top 40 Young Lawyer (2020-2021), recognition as the Top Family Law Firm in Layton, UT (2021), participation in the Utah Bar Leadership Academy (2018), acknowledgment as Utah Bar Pro Bono Young Lawyer of the Year (2017), and receipt of the Claus Nobel Educator of Distinction award in 2010.
Jonathan is constantly involved in the professional community, where he can learn, grow, and contribute. “It can be lonely at the top,” he says. “The key I have found is to reach out and participate on boards and in leadership positions within my professional community. Through volunteer boards and other community leadership positions, I get regular contact with other leaders who are at the top of their game.”
Passionate about writing music and playing the pipe organ, Jonathan does musical theatre in his free time and has been on stage numerous times. His favorite role was Jack from Into the Woods. He also helps direct music, build sets, and manage backstage.
Education and Experience
Jonathan held the position of an officer in the U.S. Air Force from 2002 to 2005 and continued his service in the Air Force Reserves from 2005 to 2008. During his tenure, he served as a Lieutenant and Section Commander at Malmstrom Air Force Base, MT. Later, as a Captain, he assumed the role of Chief of Military Equal Opportunity for the 939th Air Refueling Wing in Portland, OR.
Before Jonathan founded Felt Family Law, he worked from 2015 to 2016 as General Counsel and Document Control Manager for UST in Layton, UT. Jonathan graduated from Hamline Law magna cum laude (2014) with an emphasis in mediation and dispute resolution. He trained as a mediator through Utah’s Domestic and Basic Mediation Courses (2016), the Central European University in Budapest, Hungary (2013), and the US Department of Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute at Patrick AFB, Florida (2005).
Jonathan achieved a Top 10 ranking in the ABA National Moot Mediation Representation competition in 2013. Before attending law school, he dedicated his service as a High School/Middle School teacher in the coastal town of Florence, Oregon, from 2007 to 2011. Additionally, Jonathan served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserves from 2002 to 2008. His academic background includes earning a Master’s degree in teaching from Western Oregon University in 2005, Master’s degree in Education from Montana State University Northern in 2003, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Brigham Young University in 1999.
Much Awarded!
Jonathan has garnered numerous awards reflecting his dedication to both his work and the well-being of children. His recognition extends across his roles as a lawyer, a member of the Air Force, and a civilian. Notable accolades for his outstanding service to the community and nation include the 341st Operations Group Personnel Manager of the Year and Malmstrom Air Force Base Part-Time Resource Manager of the Quarter in 2004, the Claus Nobel Teacher of Excellence Award in 2010, Utah Pro Bono Publico Young Lawyer of the Year in 2017, Rising Star in the Field of Family Law in 2018, Utah Bar Leadership Academy in 2019, and more recently, the American Bar Top 40 On the Rise Young Lawyer and Layton, Utah, Top Family Law Attorney in 2021.
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