John F. Kirtley II, Esq.

Biography

With over 17 years of experience in the life insurance industry, John Kirtley brings a deep well of expertise in corporate law, regulatory compliance, and policyholder advocacy to his role at the firm.

After earning both his J.D. and LL.M. degrees from Capital University Law School in Columbus, John began his legal career at Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., a multibillion-dollar mutual life insurance company headquartered in Cincinnati. From 2006 to 2020, he rose through the ranks to become Associate General Counsel, advising the board of directors, executive leadership and C-suite on complex litigation matters, commercial transactions, and regulatory frameworks.

From 2020 to 2022, John served as General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, and Corporate Secretary for Illinois Mutual Life Insurance Company. In this executive role, he acted as the company’s chief legal officer, overseeing all legal operations, compliance initiatives, and corporate governance activities.

In 2023, John launched his own insurance-based financial planning practice with New York Life Insurance Company—the largest mutual life insurance company in the United States—counseling families and business owners on protecting their most valuable assets and planning for long-term financial security.

John joined Merlin Law Group because of its national reputation as The Policyholder’s Advocate. With a career devoted to serving policyholders’ interests, he is proud to continue that mission with a firm that shares his dedication and passion for advocacy.