Originally from a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dana Laganella Gerling practices in Estate Planning, Probate Elder Law, and Corporations. 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 while in law school. She was included among the 2010 and 2011 Rising Stars in Florida Super Lawyers Magazine and has remained on the Super Lawyers list for 7 years now! Only 2.5% of lawyers in Florida have received such designation. Dana Laganella Gerling, was also voted as Legal Elite in the 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2016 issue of Florida Trend Magazine and was featured in their July publications. Dana was also named among just 7 percent of the wealth managers in the Sarasota area as a Five Star Wealth Manager in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 by Sarasota Magazine. In 2014, Dana was selected as a Top Rated Lawyer in Trusts and Estates and achieved the AV Preeminent® peer review rating from ALM and Martindale-Hubbell.
The AV Preeminent® Lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell is the highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards. 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 was President of the Manatee County Florida Association of Women Lawyers for two years 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 is a member of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, Manatee County Estate Planning Council and the Florida Bar Real Property and Estate Planning section. In the past she has 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 because of her love for animals.
Dana earned her undergraduate degree in Business Finance from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, graduating with honors. Dana is an animal lover, providing a loving home for two dogs and a cat of her own. She is a strong supporter of all animal related organizations in the community. Dana also has two adorable little girls, Grace and Lilly, who she loves spending time with when not at work.
