Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
5.0 /5.0
84 Client Reviews
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Dana Laganella Gerling
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About Dana
Biography
Dana Laganella Gerling has been nominated again in 2024 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 twelve 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 on the board of the Manatee County Florida Association of Women Lawyers 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 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
5
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
30%
Probate
30%
Trusts
15%
Wills and Living Wills
15%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 225-250 per hour
Contingency
10%-20%
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2021 2019 2018
...
+
4
2013
Licenses
Licensed in Florida for 24 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 2001
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of Dana Laganella Gerling
6148 State Road 70 E, Bradenton, FL, 342039707
gerlinglawgroup.comGallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Dana online.
Dana Laganella Gerling's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 62 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | July 23, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Efficient, Knowledgeable, and Personable
My husband and I were thrilled with our experience with Attorney Dana Gerling and her firm. We have been putting off estate planning, because we thought it would be a difficult process. However, Dana made it smooth, informative, and efficient. We were amazed at her knowledge and her ability to help u...
Posted by Elizabeth | August 17, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Probate for My Daughter:
Dana and the Staff were just wonderful. Explained everything, walked me through what needed to be done, very personable and timing was spot on! Had no worry with this team on my side.
Posted by Sylvia | April 26, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Best estate attorney
I’m a widow and moved to Florida about 3 years ago and so glad I found Dana to help me with my Eatate will. She’s very knowledgeable, friendly, patient and very reasonable with the fee. Now I’m so relieved that everything is organized for my estate. I strongly recommend her if ever needs to sort out...
Posted by Michael | February 22, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Revocable Trust Developed With Ease
My wife and I moved to area recently and wanted to set up a trust to ease the burden on our heirs. Doing so with Dana Gerling proved to be extremely easy as well as cost effective. Ms. Gerling was very knowledgeable and thorough. The entire process was both efficient and enjoyable. I would highly...
Posted by William | February 2, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Professional and competent
Attorney Gerling helped with all aspects of our estate planning, drawing up several documents that we had neglected. She was very professional and courteous and COVID-19 safe. A good experience for us.
Dana Laganella Gerling's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse Dana. Dana is knowledgeable, personable, and an excellent counselor to her clients. I would not hesitate to refer a client to her."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Dana for many years, she is ethical, intelligent, skilled, and compassionate. I endorse Dana without reservation"
"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."
"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."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mrs. Gerling provides quality legal services at more than reasonable rates."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. She is extremely intelligent, insightful and compassionate. Dana is well-respected in our community."
"I endorse this lawyer's work."
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Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyers, Super Laywers Magazine
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Florida Legal Trend Magazine, Legal Elite
2018
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
People's Choice, Bradenton Herald
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2010
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2009
Best Attorney in East Manatee County, Living Out East Magazine
2008
Best Up And Coming Attorney, Florida Legal Trend Magazine
2007
Best Attorney in East Manatee County, Living Out East Magazine
Work Experience
2003 - Present
Managing Partner, Affordable Attorney, Gerling Law Group
Associations
2015 - Present
American Inn of Court - Manatee CountyMembership Chair
2007 - Present
Manatee County Florida Association of Women LawyersMember
2002 - Present
Manatee County Bar Association, Probate, Trust, Estate Planning and Tax SectionMember
2018 - 2019
Manatee County Florida Association of Women LawyersPresident
2014 - 2015
American Inn of Court - Manatee CountyHospitality Chair
2010 - 2013
Kaiser CollegeAdvisory Board for Paralegals
2008 - 2009
Manatee County Animal Advisory BoardBoard Member
2005 - 2007
Manatee County Florida Association of Women LawyersPresident
2003 - 2005
Florida Association for Women Lawyers (Sarasota chapter)Board of Directors
2003 - 2008
Florida Association for Women Lawyers (Sarasota chapter)Member
2002 - 2003
Sarasota County Humane SocietyBoard Member
Education
2001
Quinnipiac University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
Speaking Engagements
2015
Free Educational Seminars
Probate Avoidance, Estate Planning
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Top Contributor
Dana earned significant contribution points in 2013.
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can a hospital access savings account from someone who died?
06 Feb 2024
Q&A
MY WILL AND TESTAMENT HAS MY ADDRESS LISTED IN NEW YORK, NOW I LEAVE IN FLORIDA, DO I HAVE TO CHANGE THE ADDRESS?
16 Oct 2017
Q&A
If I write my own will and have it notarized , is it legal ?
17 Feb 2014