ABOUT
(916) 742-7747
Merus Law follows a simple, yet powerful philosophy: resolve through negotiation all that can be settled and that which makes sense to settle. The rest can be decided by a court of law.
.jpg)
BROOKE N. STEPHENS
Brooke N. Stephens is a founding partner with Merus Law, APC. Her law practice focuses on the areas of family law, guardianships, adoptions, and grandparents’ rights. Brooke is a graduate of Pepperdine University School of Law and Oregon State University. She is licensed to practice law in both California and Oregon. Brooke has made the Super Lawyers Northern California Rising Stars list for three consecutive years, 2013 through 2015. She has also been named 2018 “10 Best Under 40” in Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys and 2019 Top 10 Family Law Attorneys in California by Attorney and Practice Magazine.
​
Prior to co-founding Merus Law in 2012, Brooke was an associate with a local law firm for five years where she represented clients in family law and adoption matters, including divorce, paternity actions, child support, spousal support, pre-nuptial agreements, domestic violence restraining orders, name changes, step-parent adoptions, and grandparents’ rights. Brooke previously worked for a civil litigation firm in Portland, Oregon where she participated in a variety of cases from medical malpractice, to eminent domain, to child sexual abuse, and was involved in drafting over thirty claims against the Archdiocese of Portland on behalf of victims abused by priests.
​
While at Pepperdine University, Brooke served on Moot Court Board and was a representative to the Student Bar Association. She was awarded the Dean’s Merit Scholarship, the Gunnar Nicholson Endowed Scholarship, and was an active member of Advocates for Public Interest Law, and the Christian Legal Society. Following her first year of law school, Brooke participated in a judicial clerkship for the Honorable Donald W. Hull, Seventh Judicial District, State of Oregon. Over the next two years she participated in internships with Woolf Simmonds Solicitors in London, England, and the International Justice Mission in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
​
Brooke attended Oregon State University for her undergraduate education, where she graduated summa cum laude from the University Honors College with Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Political Science and International Studies, as well as a minor in Spanish. Brooke wrote her Honors Thesis on the international reconciliation movement, entitled, Reconciliation and Forgiveness: The Promise of Healing for Wounded Nations. Immediately following college, Brooke worked as an AmeriCorps/VISTA volunteer for a non-profit community development corporation.
​
Brooke currently resides in Rocklin with her husband and their three children. She sits on the Family Law Temporary Judge Attorney Mediator subcommittee of the Placer County Bar Association. Brooke presently serves on the Dean’s Counsel for Pepperdine Caruso School of Law and is President of the Board for Placer Rescue Mission. She is also a member of Daughters of the American Revolution. Most recently, on October 2, 2019, Brooke was sworn in at the United States Supreme Court to become a member of the United States Supreme Court Bar.
BROOKE K. BRYANT, CFLS
Brooke K. Bryant is a founding partner with Merus Law, APC, and is a Certified Family Law Specialist. Her main area of expertise is family law, which she has been practicing since 2007. Brooke has experience handling divorces, child custody/visitation, child and spousal support, division of assets, guardianships, grandparents’ rights, adoptions, and domestic violence. She believes in a collaborative approach to family law whenever possible, but also has extensive litigation experience. Prior to founding Merus Law, APC, Brooke worked for a local firm handling family law and bankruptcy cases. She also has experience in probate and estate planning.
​
Brooke Bryant was honored as the “Top 10% in the USA” in Family & Divorce in 2017 by Lawyers of Distinction. That same year, she was named one of “10 Best Attorney in California” for exceptional and outstanding client service by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, which is based on client and peer reviews. She received this same award by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys in 2018 and 2019. In 2018 and 2019, she was nominated by her peers for Northern California’s Rising Stars List as published by Super Lawyers Magazine. This award is only given to 2.5% of licensed active attorneys in the state and is a great attestation to Brooke’s commitment to her clients and the practice of law. Brooke is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, the Trial Lawyer Honorary Society, and a member of the Order of Juris and Trial Law Institute and Diversity Law Institute .
​
Brooke K. Bryant is a graduate of the University of California, Davis School of Law, where she was the events coordinator for the International Law Society, and also served as a representative for the Environmental Law Society. Prior to attending law school, Brooke graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of the Pacific Honor’s Program with Bachelor of Arts degrees in both English and History. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Brooke served as vice president of the honors fraternity, Phi Kappa Phi, and was also a member of the Mortar Board Society. During her third and final year at the university, she was nominated as a Rhodes Scholar, which marked the school’s first ever nomination of a student for that prestigious award.
​
In 2003, Brooke joined the law students at the University of California, Davis School of Law. While attending law school, Brooke served as a liaison for the visiting L.L.M. (Master of Laws) students, and helped to organize and promote intercultural events, which allowed the students to broaden their concept of international law. During the summer of her second year, she attended an international law program, hosted by the University of Oklahoma, in which she studied in Brussels, Belgium, and Geneva, Switzerland. While in Geneva, Brooke was able to work at the United Nations, specifically involving herself in the Working Group for Indigenous Peoples, which promotes the rights of various small communities around the world.
​
Brooke currently lives in Roseville with her family, three dogs and two fish.
.png)
DAVID P. BONEMEYER, Associate Attorney
David P. Bonemeyer is an associate attorney with Merus Law, APC. He supports clients in a variety of capacities, including conducting legal research, providing legal advice, and advocating on their behalf in court. He works closely with partners Brooke K. Bryant and Brooke N. Stephens on both their cases and his own. In this role, David collaborates with attorneys and clients to navigate complex legal issues, with a particular interest in the financial aspects of family law.
Prior to attending law school, David spent several years working in the field of workers’ compensation. In that role, he assisted with case management, prepared legal and administrative materials related to claims, and worked directly with clients. This experience provided early exposure to the legal system and helped him develop a practical understanding of how legal issues affect clients’ day-to-day lives. His time in workers’ compensation strengthened his interest in pursuing a legal career focused on advocacy and problem-solving.
During law school, David externed at the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento under the supervision of Judge Jaya Badiga. During his externship, he conducted legal research for Judge Badiga and attended numerous hearings, trials, and administrative proceedings. He also assisted other judges at the Family Relations Courthouse, gaining broad insight into the court’s operations. This experience provided valuable perspective on the judicial decision-making process and the day-to-day practice of family law. Through researching legal issues and reviewing case materials, he developed a strong understanding of the practical aspects of family law. He also volunteered on multiple occasions at the One-Day Divorce Workshop, where self-represented litigants received assistance from members of the legal community to obtain same-day divorce judgments.
David earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California, Davis. He later attended the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, where he graduated with distinction. During law school, he focused on developing strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills that prepared him for the practical demands of legal practice.
Outside of his professional work, David is an Eagle Scout and has completed more than one hundred hours of community service. David lives in Sacramento, where he continues to build his legal career while remaining actively connected to his community and family. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf, hiking, and spending time outdoors. He also enjoys visiting family in the San Francisco Bay Area whenever he has the opportunity.
JESSICA MEDINA, Paralegal
Jessica Medina brings nearly two decades of family law experience to Merus Law, where she has been a valued member of the team since 2019. She holds a Master's degree in social work from the University of Southern California, which helps her resonate with clients handling difficult family law issues. She began her legal career in Orange County, California, where she worked alongside attorneys on complex, high-net-worth cases that gave her an exceptional depth of knowledge and skill.
Jessica is known for anticipating issues early, organizing cases so nothing is missed, and keeping attorneys ahead of deadlines. Her legal writing is precise, her attention to detail meticulous, and her approach grounded in genuine compassion for the families navigating some of the most difficult chapters of their lives.
Jessica is married to a firefighter and is a mom to two young children. She is passionate about animal rescue, loves fashion and interior design, and is known for dropping obscure movie quotes into conversation. When she’s not on the tennis court, she’s likely somewhere across the globe. She’s always planning her next adventure.
NICOLE CEASAR, Paralegal
Nicole Ceasar is a certified paralegal with more than twenty-four years of experience in family law. She supports clients through every stage of their case, from sensitive domestic violence matters to complex custody, and property issues. She brings a steady, calming presence to difficult situations and is known for balancing compassion with clear, practical guidance.
At work, she’s the person clients instinctively trust. Her approach is grounded in empathy, efficiency, and a genuine commitment to helping families navigate challenging transitions.
Outside the office, Nicole is a creative spirit who loves trying new things and taking on fresh challenges, both in work and in life.
JESSICA NORRIS, Paralegal
With over 15 years of experience in family law, Jessica Norris brings both professional expertise and genuine compassion to every client she serves. She earned her AA in Paralegal Studies in 2010, graduating at the top of her class, and has dedicated her career to family law ever since.
Before joining Merus Law, Jessica built a well-rounded legal foundation working for a local estate planning and family law office. She later ran her own legal services business, assisting clients with document preparation, process serving, and court filings. She has been a proud member of the Merus team since 2015.
Jessica's deep, personal understanding of clients' experiences sets her apart. She knows firsthand that family law matters are rarely just legal — they are deeply human. That lived experience fuels her patience, her empathy, and her unwavering commitment to treating every client with care and dignity.
Known for her meticulous attention to detail, Jessica takes pride in getting things right because in family law, the details matter. When she's not at work, she enjoys spending time outdoors and gaming with her family.
