Wendi Adelson: A Life Marked by Tragedy and Advocacy

Wendi Adelson is an accomplished attorney, child advocate, and university professor whose professional reputation belies the intense personal tragedy that has defined much of her public profile. Born and raised in Coral Springs, Florida, she graduated from Brandeis University before completing her master’s in international relations at Cambridge and her J.D. at the University of Miami. After a prestigious start at Harvard Law and early service as a federal clerk, Wendi Adelson joined Florida State University as a clinical professor. Known for her advocacy work—particularly in immigration and child welfare—Adelson has combined scholarly pursuits with hands-on legal practice and nonprofit leadership .

Early Life and Career

As a Floridian who has devoted her career to public service, Wendi Adelson has long been interested in using the law as a tool for social change. She founded or led several nonprofit organizations, focused on immigrant rights and legal protections for vulnerable children. According to published sources, Adelson has written for legal journals and produced manuals on topics such as special immigrant juvenile status. Those efforts were complemented by her academic work at Florida State University, where she taught and supervised law students in clinical settings. Her experiences in the legal world also inspired her to write a novel—This Is Our Story—that highlighted the horrific realities of human trafficking through fictional narratives drawn from real-life encounters.

The Marriage and Divorce from Dan Markel

The personal life of Wendi Adelson became publicly known in connection with her marriage to and divorce from law professor Dan Markel, whom she married in 2006. Their separation was finalized in July 2013, during what became a highly acrimonious legal battle over custody and asset division. At the heart of the dispute was Wendi Adelson’s attempt to relocate their two young sons to South Florida—a plan opposed by Markel and ultimately rejected by the court. Financial tensions added fuel, with Dan Markel accusing Adelson of hiding assets and even seizing a family heirloom diamond, though whether this impacted their settlement remains disputed.

The Tragic Murder of Dan Markel

On July 18, 2014, Dan Markel was shot and killed in his Tallahassee driveway. A deadly conspiracy later unfolded, allegedly masterminded by various members of the Adelson family. Investigators eventually concluded that Adelson’s brother, Charlie, arranged for a hitman, who was connected through Katherine Magbanua and took action with Luis Rivera. Charlie was convicted and sentenced to life plus decades more, and their mother, Donna Adelson, faces trial in 2025. Although prosecutors named Wendi Adelson as a conspirator, she was never charged and continues to deny involvement.

Wendi Adelson’s Interrogations and Testimony

In the years that followed Markel’s murder, Wendi Adelson underwent extensive law enforcement interrogation and testified in court. Police interrogators have said that, during prolonged questioning, she provided key details about her brother’s previous statements, including a “joke” about a hitman—comments that broke the conspiracy’s coded silence . Critics argue that these disclosures helped insulate her from charges, while her defenders say she was merely telling the truth when pressed. In courtroom testimony, Wendi maintained she had no prior knowledge of the murder plot, distancing herself from her family .

Life Since the Case

After the trial of Charlie Adelson and others concluded, Wendi Adelson moved to South Florida with her sons, changed their surname from Markel to Adelson, and focused on rebuilding her life. She stepped down from her role at Florida State University in 2015 and took positions at immigrant advocacy firms and legal aid organizations. As of early 2025, Wendi Adelson serves as counsel with St. Michael’s Legal Center for Women and Children in Miami Beach and with the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project. Records from the Florida Bar confirm she remains a member in good standing.

Advocacy and Writing

Wendi Adelson continues to combine her legal training with storytelling. Her novel, This Is Our Story, draws from her extensive work with trafficked young women, using fiction to humanize their struggles and amplify their voices. The 2013 book was praised for bringing readers into the emotional reality of its protagonists, highlighting themes of dignity, exploitation, and hope . Through her advocacy, Adelson remains committed to helping vulnerable children and immigrants—a continuation of her lifelong mission.

Public Perception and Media Coverage

The murder of Dan Markel and the involvement of the Adelson family captured national attention. Law enforcement and media accounts regularly mention Wendi Adelson, alternating between criticism and sympathy as the facts emerge, and her legal defense remains intact. True crime series, podcasts, and news outlets have revisited her case repeatedly; yet, her lack of criminal charges leaves her in a complex position—legally innocent but morally and symbolically linked to a violent crime  . The “Markel Act,” passed in Florida in 2022, is one tangible legislative legacy tied to the case: it expanded grandparents’ visitation rights, addressing one fallout of Wendi Adelson’s post-divorce custody decisions .

Today and Looking Ahead

Today, Wendi Adelson is a single mother, attorney, advocate, and novelist. Balancing public scrutiny with personal resilience, she remains fiercely dedicated to children's welfare and immigrant rights. With her two sons growing up under the Adelson name in South Florida, and her professional life rooted in advocacy work, Wendi Adelson continues to navigate a path shaped by tragedy, perseverance, and purpose.