Ms. Towne focuses her practice on family law, primarily committed to helping individuals and families traverse through the family courts or facilitate private settlements related to family law issues. She is an experienced and proficient Western Michigan litigator and mediator, as well as being trained in collaborative law and other alternative dispute resolution models. Gail's practice includes domestic relations law, divorce, paternity, child custody, child support, adoption, guardianship and other family law and probate matters.She is a long time resident of Kalamazoo County, returning to her home town after attending law school and practicing law on the east side of the State for 8 years. She is now a partner at one of the most historic law firms originating in downtown Kalamazoo. At Lennon, Miller & Bartosiewicz, PLC. Gail is also obtaining her certification in the practice of Elder Law. Among other things, Gail has been an elected Council Member of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan where she serves as co-chair of the Amicus committee and a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee. Gail has been appointed to several Supreme Court Administrative Office committees and Task Forces. Committed to the belief that family law cases should be decided by and between the families, Gail is also a member of the Collaborative Law Institute of Michigan and the International Academy of Collaborative Practitioners as well as a founding member of the Collaborative Practitioners of Greater Kalamazoo. Gail writes and speaks frequently on family law and issues, for Statewide and National publications, including legal resource books for both ICLE and Lexis/Nexis. As a mother of two active children and three dogs, Gail and her husband are also active in the community of Kalamazoo, Otsego and surrounding areas.
Practice areas
19 years
This includes probate administration, guardianship and conservatorship work and elder law
19 years
19 years
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
MI | Active And In Good Standing | 2002 | 06/27/2022 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2015 |
Rising Star | Michigan Super Lawyers | 2014 |
Rising Star in Family Law | Michigan Super Lawyers® | 2011 |
Award of Appreciation | Michigan State Bar, Family Law Section | 2009 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Member | Lennon, Miller, O'Connor & Bartosiewicz, PLC | 2008 - Present |
Associate | Abrams Yu and Associates, P.C. | 2000 - 2007 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Supreme Court Administrator's Office | Domestic Relations Law Forms Committee | 2015 - Present |
Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the Family Law Section of the Michigan State Bar | Co-Chair | 2014 - Present |
Amicus Committee of the Family Law Section of the Michigan State Bar | Co-Chair | 2014 - Present |
Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan | Board Member | 2013 - Present |
State Bar of Michigan, Family Law Section | Council Member | 2010 - Present |
State Bar of Michigan, Family Law Section, Amicus Curiae Committee | Member | 2009 - Present |
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals | Member | 2008 - Present |
Collaborative Practitioners of Michigan | Member | 2007 - Present |
State Bar of Michigan, Probate and Estate Planning Section | Member | 2002 - Present |
Collaborative Practitioners of Greater Kalamazoo | Member | N/A |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Lexis Nexis Practice Guide | Michigan Family Law 2016 Edition | 2016 |
Michigan Bar Journal | The Uniform Collaborative Law Act: Michigan Not Left Behind | 2015 |
Michigan Family Law Journal | Published and Unpublished Case Summaries | 2015 |
Michigan Family Law Journal | If I'd Known Then What I know Now: What Family Law Attorneys Would Tell Their Younger Selves | 2014 |
Michigan Family Law Journal | Published and Unpublished Case Summaries | 2014 |
Michigan Family Law Journal | Antagonizers in Family Law: Not Your Typical Article About Bullies | 2013 |
Michigan Lawyers Weekly | When families are involved in family law as unrepresented 3rd parties, who is the client? | 2012 |
"Michigan Lawyer's Weekly" 25 Mich. L. W. 29 | The Lies my clients told me. . . . or didn't tell me: What is the truth, and does it matter in family court? | 2011 |
Michigan Family Law Journal | Published and Unpublished Case Summaries | 2011 |
ICLE's Michigan Family Law, 8th Edition | Immigration Issues in Family Law | 2010 |
Michigan Lawyer's Weekly | Legal Custody: What Does it Really Mean? | 2010 |
Michigan Family Law Section Mid-Summer Seminar Handbook | Taking a Fresh Look at Legal Custody in an Ever Evolving World | 2009 |
"Michigan Lawyer's Weekly" 23 Mich. L.W. 680 | Real Estate in Divorce: Adjusting with the Economic Climate | 2008 |
Laches (OCBA) | From the Courthouse Steps to the Schoolhouse Doors | 2006 |
Michigan Family Law Journal | Substance Abuse in Family Law: When and How to Get a Drug Test | 2006 |
Michigan Young Lawyers Journal | Arranging International Travel for Minors, Inter Alia | 2006 |
Family Law Journal | Protecting Our Client's Credit from Divorce and Identity Theft | 2005 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Wayne State University Law School | JD - Juris Doctor | 2002 |
Davenport University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1999 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Family Law Mid-Summer Seminar | Legal Custody | 2009 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Pierron vs. Pierron | Supreme Court agreed with the Family Law Section's position |
Helton vs. Beaman | The COA's holding to deny the plaintiff's request to set aside the affidavit of parentage was affirmed |
Posted by Joe
August 20, 2020
Posted by Pam
March 30, 2020
Posted by anonymous
March 30, 2020
Posted by anonymous
June 17, 2019
Posted by William
December 14, 2018
Posted by Patti
September 18, 2018
Posted by Marc
October 30, 2017
Posted by anonymous
April 13, 2017
Posted by Howie
November 5, 2016
Posted by Mary
May 18, 2016
Kevin McLaughlin, Family Attorney on Feb 1, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I worked at Gail's firm for about a year and she is very intelligent, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. I would definitely trust her for any family law or estate planning work I would need.
Mitchell Moldovan, Divorce and separation Attorney on Feb 1, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Extremely knowledgeable and talented. I endorse Ms. Towne for your family law needs.
Kevin McLaughlin, Family Attorney on Feb 1, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I worked at Gail's firm for about a year and she is very intelligent, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. I would definitely trust her for any family law or estate planning work I would need.
Mitchell Moldovan, Divorce and separation Attorney on Feb 1, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Extremely knowledgeable and talented. I endorse Ms. Towne for your family law needs.
Judd Nemiro, Unknown Attorney on Apr 22, 2015
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer for their knowledge and dedication.
Bobbi Hines, Family Attorney on Mar 28, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Towne is a very competent and compassionate attorney. She is easily differentiated from other attorneys due to her ability and desire to bring comfort and rationale to an otherwise intensely heated area of law. She does not take the stance of 'kicking up the dust', but instead focuses on bringing peace and finality to the stresses of the family law issues that many face. Ms. Towne's willingness to bring resolution does not take away from her ability to fully advocate for her clients. She encourages her clients and other counsel to avoid the long term affects of making brash and emotional decisions. She is very holistic and collaborative in her approach to family law. I highly recommend Ms. Towne!
Cody Knight, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jan 10, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have worked with Gail’s clients on several occasions. They were always extremely pleased with her representation. If you are in need of a divorce lawyer in Kalamazoo, I would recommend that you contact her.
J. Catchick, Divorce and separation Attorney on Apr 5, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I highly recommend Ms. Towne. She is extremely knowledgeable, very experienced, and is devoted to her client's needs.
Erika Salerno Shadowens, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jan 26, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Gail is a staunch advocate for her clients and a professional of integrity. Always prepared, she is dedicated to helping her clients resolve their case. She is experienced and passionate about alternative forms of dispute resolution such as mediation and collaborative law. However, she is also an accomplished litigator with courtroom skiils that serve her clients well.
Ellen Paynter, Family Attorney on Jan 10, 2013
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Gail Towne and I have worked with each other on opposite sides of cases. Gail is a reasonable and respectful attorney. However, don't let the friendly demeanor fool you! Gail Towne is a zealous advocate for her clients, and she can be VERY aggressive when it is needed. My experience with Gail has taught me that she is extremely informed in all areas of family law, and that she is continually keeping herself up to date on any changes in the law. With this vast knowledge of family law and her experience in the field of family law, Gail is able to think out of the box, bringing a unique and refreshing approach to problem solving in family law cases. I highly recommend Gail to anyone in need of a family law attorney. In fact, since Gail relocated to the Kalamazoo area several years ago, I have referred anyone looking for a family law attorney in the Kalamazoo area to Gail Towne, and to no one else.
Shelley White-Thomas, Family Attorney on Jun 17, 2011
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer. I attended law school with Gail and I know her to be an absolutely wonderful person and know that she is completely caring and concerned about everyone that she meets. Whenever I have a question about the area of family law, I can call upon her for input relating to estate planning and I can count on her to give me a thoughtful, well researched, and experienced opinion. I thoroughly endorse her in whatever area of practice she enters because I know she will take her passion and caring into that area. If I would ever need an attorney in the areas in which she practices, I would call upon her.
Michael O'Connor, Divorce and separation Attorney on Mar 4, 2011
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer because she has a thorough understanding of family law and relates well with people who seek her guidance and advice.
Ryan Opria, Divorce and separation Attorney on Feb 18, 2011
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Amy Yu, Family Attorney on Aug 19, 2010
Relationship: Supervised lawyer
I endorse this lawyer's work. Gail is a highly competent attorney particularly in family law matters. I have worked with since she was a law student and I endorse her work.
Jeff Murphy, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jul 27, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work. As a mediator, I have had the pleasure of working with Attorney Towne on numerous family law matters. I have recommended her as an attorney to represent parties in divorce mediations I handle. She is exceptionally professional and knowledgeable. The clients I have referred to her have given me extemely positive feedback about their experience working with her. Her commitiment to alternative dispute resolution mechanisms is refreshing and as a result of these experiences, she has become one of the premier " go to" attorneys in my mediations. I highly recommend her services.
Nina Abrams, Family Attorney on Jul 26, 2010
Relationship: Supervised lawyer
I endorse this lawyer's work. She is exceptionally competent, kind and sensative to her clients.
Cash, Check, Credit Card