Dana Laganella Gerling has been nominated again in 2020 as a Super Lawyer; this is the tenth year she has been on the Florida Super Lawyers Magazine list. Only 2.5 % of lawyers in Florida receive such designation. She has also been voted as Legal Elite for a sixth year in Florida Trend Magazine. Affordable Attorney, Gerling Law Group has won People’s Choice Award from the Bradenton Herald for Favorite Attorney for eight years. Dana is a dedicated community leader who primarily practices in areas of law that include: Estate Planning, Probate, Trust Administration and Elder Law.
Dana is originally from a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She attended law school at Quinnipiac University School of Law in Hamden, Connecticut and graduated Cum Laude. She was awarded the Best Advocate of the Northeast Region and was voted Best Attorney in East Manatee County by Living Out East Magazine. It is Dana’s commitment to providing quality, affordable legal services that has won her respect and acclaim from both her peers and her clients. She truly enjoys her work. Her passion for helping people in her community is evident in her dedication to providing education on important topics, including Wills, Trusts, Durable Power of Attorney’s and Health Care Surrogates. Further, as a founding partner of Affordable Attorney, Gerling Law Group Chartered, Dana’s commitment to protecting the interests of her clients has become the focus of this client centered firm.
She is currently President of the Manatee County Florida Association of Women Lawyers for her third term and has also served on the Board of Directors with the Sarasota County Florida Association of Women Lawyers. Dana is a member of both the Manatee County and Sarasota County Bar Associations. She formerly served on the Board of the Sarasota County Humane Society, Manatee County Animal Control Advisory Board, and the advisory Board of the Pinellas Animal Foundation.
She earned her undergraduate degree in Business Finance from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, graduating with honors. Dana is a mother of two little girls as well as being an animal lover, providing a loving home for two dogs and two bunnies of her own. She is a strong supporter of all animal related organizations in the community.
Practice areas
Languages spoken
English
6148 State Road 70 E
Bradenton, FL, 342039707
9040 Town Center Parkway
Lakewood Ranch, FL, 34202
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
FL | Member in Good Standing | 2001 | 12/20/2020 |
Legal answers | 115 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Super Lawyers | Super Laywers Magazine | 2018 |
Florida Legal Trend Magazine | Legal Elite | 2018 |
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2018 |
People's Choice | Bradenton Herald | 2017 |
Best Attorney in East Manatee County | Living Out East Magazine | 2009 |
Best Up And Coming Attorney | Florida Legal Trend Magazine | 2008 |
---|---|---|
Best Attorney in East Manatee County | Living Out East Magazine | 2007 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Managing Partner | Affordable Attorney, Gerling Law Group | 2003 - Present |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
American Inn of Court - Manatee County | Membership Chair | 2015 - Present |
Manatee County Florida Association of Women Lawyers | Member | 2007 - Present |
Manatee County Bar Association, Probate, Trust, Estate Planning and Tax Section | Member | 2002 - Present |
Manatee County Florida Association of Women Lawyers | President | 2018 - 2019 |
American Inn of Court - Manatee County | Hospitality Chair | 2014 - 2015 |
Kaiser College | Advisory Board for Paralegals | 2010 - 2013 |
---|---|---|
Manatee County Animal Advisory Board | Board Member | 2008 - 2009 |
Manatee County Florida Association of Women Lawyers | President | 2005 - 2007 |
Florida Association for Women Lawyers (Sarasota chapter) | Board of Directors | 2003 - 2005 |
Florida Association for Women Lawyers (Sarasota chapter) | Member | 2003 - 2008 |
Sarasota County Humane Society | Board Member | 2002 - 2003 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Quinnipiac University School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 2001 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Free Educational Seminars | Probate Avoidance, Estate Planning | 2015 |
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Joseph Battaglia, Estate planning Attorney on Aug 30, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Dana. Dana is knowledgeable, personable, and an excellent counselor to her clients. I would not hesitate to refer a client to her.
Alyson Battaglia, Probate Attorney on Jun 5, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I have known Dana personally for years and have used her for all matters of probate and estate planning. She is highly effective and an excellent communicator. I would recommend her to anyone I know in need of this type of legal service.
I endorse this lawyer.
I endorse this lawyer. Dana is a strong and knowledgeable attorney. She works hard for her clients and her community. I have complete confidence in her legal representation of my friends and clients.
Gerald O'Brien, Elder law Attorney on Jul 14, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I have known Dana for many years, she is ethical, intelligent, skilled, and compassionate. I endorse Dana without reservation
Andrea Johnson, Estate planning Attorney on Mar 27, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Dana for many years in our profession. I have found her to be well prepared, diligent, and hard working in all she does for her clients. She is one of the most trusted attorneys I know. I highly recommend Dana and her law firm and am proud of the professionalism and intellect she brings to the legal community.
Charles Moore, Estate planning Attorney on Mar 9, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Dana is a very experienced attorney who has handled a variety of estate planning and probate related matters. She is also very personable. I highly recommend this lawyer.
Sherry Ellis, Wills and living wills Attorney on Oct 13, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I have known Dana for 10 years. Her enthusiasm is contagious and her high energy serves her practice and clients well. Dana respects people of all walks of life and animals too. She has worked cases in protecting the rights of animals/pets and their owners.
Aaron Tracy, Estate planning Attorney on Sep 9, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Mrs. Gerling provides quality legal services at more than reasonable rates.
Kevin Burke, Estate planning Attorney on Sep 4, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Ms Gerlings's answers on Avvo demonstrate a depth of knowledge of estate planning law and a profound ability to analyze complex legal problems. I am happy to endorse her.
Cindy Hill, Estate planning Attorney on May 22, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Dana is not only a talented lawyer, but also a caring person. Recognizing that the expense of legal services can be a great concern for many people, she makes an effort to work with her clients to provide the services they need at a cost they can afford. I therefore do not hesitate to refer people who contact me regarding a need for estate planning to Dana, confident that they will be well taken care of.
Jason Reid, Estate planning Attorney on May 21, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I personally know Dana Gerling as a very experienced and talented attorney practicing in the areas of trusts and estates, probate, and wills. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for an attorney in these practice areas.
Telese McKay, Estate planning Attorney on May 21, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Not only have I worked with her on a professional level, I have gone to her for my personal estate planning purposes as a client. She was very thorough and followed up well to make sure the work and documentation was done in a timely manner. She is also very friendly, which makes working with her as an attorney enjoyable and comfortable.
Terri Cromley, Wills and living wills Attorney on Jul 18, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Dana is an excellent attorney. She is very well respected in the Bradenton area. She was instrumental in planning the "Wills for Heroes" where first responders can obtain wills free of charge from local attorneys.
David Rosenberg, Probate Attorney on Apr 5, 2012
Relationship: Worked together on matter
It is not uncommon to come accross a probate matter in the course of my real estate practice. Dana is the person I trust to handle these issues She is excellent at getting to the crux of the matter and helping to keep my transaction moving forward. Additionally, she has done an excellent job with a number of my clients on their estate planning.
Patricia Fradley, Estate planning Attorney on Aug 1, 2011
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I've worked with Dana on a number of Pre-Nuptial agreements, and have referred many clients with Estate Planning needs to her. I've only received positive feedback from my clients. She is very personable and takes the time to listen to their concerns. Her staff is extremely efficient and very helpful whenever I call or email. I endorse her without reservation.
Michelle Liguori, Trusts Attorney on Jan 20, 2010
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Dana is very easy to work with. She has helped me out with client matters when I needed Florida counsel, and she has also done estate planning and trusts for my own parents. She has great knowledge about her practice area and is very accommodating when it comes to her clients' needs. I have repeatedly recommended Dana to friends, family and anyone else in need of legal services in the Sarasota/Bradenton area.
Tracey Starrett, Trusts Attorney on Aug 11, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work. I would (and do) recommend her to anyone seeking a highly skilled, knowledgeable, and responsive attorney to help them with their estate planning.
Crystal Golm, Estate planning Attorney on Aug 6, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work. She is extremely intelligent, insightful and compassionate. Dana is well-respected in our community.
Alyssa Nohren, Wills and living wills Attorney on Jul 14, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work.
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