Abbas B. Merchant was born in Park Ridge, Illinois and grew up in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago.  He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign where he received a Bachelors of Science degree  in Finance. While pursuing his undergraduate degree, Abbas also served as  member of the United States Army Reserve and Illinois Army National Guard, training in Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Washington State.

Abbas received his law degree from the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.  He concentrated his studies in civil litigation and civil rights.  During law school, Abbas also served as a volunteer assisting low income families and small business owners in income tax preparation.

Abbas has been practicing law since 2003, concentrating his practice on representing victims of medical malpractice, serious motor vehicle accidents, and civil rights violations. Abbas has also done significant appellate work, including upholding a record $6.25 Million dollar verdict for a child who was severely injured at birth when his mother was neglected by her nurses.

Prior to attending law school, Abbas worked as an Equity Trader at the Chicago Board of Option Exchange, with daily trades exceeding one million shares.

Abbas currently resides in downtown Chicago, his hobbies include antique book collecting and motorcycling.