About Mrs. Dana Laganella Gerling

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 through 2024! Only 2.5% of lawyers in Florida have received such designation. Dana Laganella Gerling, has also been voted as Legal Elite from 2009 through 2024 from the Florida Trend Magazine. In 2014, she was selected and has remained 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 is President 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 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 of her own. She is a strong supporter of all animal related organizations in the community. Dana also has two girls, Grace and Lilly, who she loves spending time with when not at work.

 

Awards

Reviews for Dana Laganella

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5.0
Estate Planning
Posted by anonymous
March 11, 2026
Hired Attorney

Great service at an affordable price. We had our trust, wills and other documents prepared by Dana Laganella at Affordable Attorneys 12 years ago and have updated them without any hiccups. We verbalize the required changes and they update "draft" documents that we review. If needed, they update the files again so that the final documents are as we requested them and legally correct. They are very well regarded in the legal community as well.

 
Estate Planning
Posted by John
January 22, 2026
Hired Attorney

We needed to update our wills, Trust and related documents but kept putting it off, wondering who we should use. Dana Gerling came highly recommended by many neighbors in our new housing development in Lakewood Ranch so we decided to meet with her. I am a retired partner in a CPA firm so I have dealt closely with this area of legal expertise throughout my career. Dana is exceptional at providing these legal services and making sure that the clients understand what is being done and what they need to follow through with. I highly recommend Dana to anyone needing this service.

 
Estate Planning
Posted by Bill
December 16, 2022
Hired Attorney

Ms. Gerling and her staff are exceptional.....with the standards and work ethic in our country at ALL TIME LOW, Ms. Gerling and staff can be an example to all on making our country great again.....from the receptionist, Allyson to Taylor her assistant always exceptional service and most special kindness, reflecting the love of CHRIST JESUS....Allyson, is the very best at all she does. Taylor, very helpful and most important, playful with a great sense of humor....they are all great and wonderful people led Ms. Gerling... and she is indeed the very best.....

 
Estate Planning
Posted by david
January 09, 2022
Hired Attorney

Extremely happy with the result of my association with Ms laganella and recommend her company to anyone that needs help with legal issues.

Estate Planning
Posted by Susan
October 07, 2021
Hired Attorney

We worked with Ms. Gerling to update our trust, wills, powers of attorney, etc. We were so impressed with her knowledge in all areas of estate planning. Her detailed explanations and inclusion of those details in the documents were superior.

Estate Planning
Posted by Robert
September 16, 2021
Hired Attorney

This attorney was extraordinarily efficient dealing with my ignorance on estate planning.She was diligently patient with me in explaining the details of my case. She worked quickly, but with the grace of a symphony violinist—she was really smooth in outlining the appropriate plan for me. Before I left, this attorney offered to answer any question/s she didn’t covered and/or I didn’t understand. She was so thorough, it made me feel well served. I had a great day!!

 
Trusts and Estates
Posted by Anthony
August 23, 2021
Hired Attorney

We contacted Dana after researching attorneys local to us in Florida. After reading her reviews, we spoke to the office and made an appointment. We were very pleased with both her office staff, who were pleasant and efficient, and herself. Dana took time to explain complex legal processes and eased our apprehensions that we had prior to speaking with her. She is very professional and personable at the same time. We recommend Dana to anyone who needs competent legal counsel.

 
Trusts and Estates
Posted by Marilyn
May 19, 2021
Hired Attorney

We had a very solid experience with Mrs. Dana Laganella Gerling. She was knowledgeable, accomplished, understanding, forthright and punctual. Ver easy to work with. No complaints....smooth sailing.

Trusts and Estates
Posted by Robert
May 04, 2021
Hired Attorney

My experience with Dana was very good. She understood my needs and met them. Dana is great to work with.

Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
January 05, 2021
Hired Attorney

I had the opportunity to work with Dana Gerling to create a trust upon my becoming a resident of Florida in 2019. She was detailed, explained everything, made recommendations and handled all the details. I felt very comfortable with her and her staff. Subsequently I had to go to probate on my husband's estate and she handled all of the paperwork very efficiently and in a caring manner as the probate work had to be done in concert with an estate litigation attorny. Ms Gerling worked in concert with the litigation attorney and all documents were sent to me electronically in a timely manner as I had gone back to NJ for the summer of 2020. Her administrative assistant, Ms. Howser, kept on top of all documents that had to be signed and would call me to follow up. In spite of the angst of probate, Ms. Gerling was extremely helpful and got the job done.

 

Services

Areas of Law

  • Elder Law
  • Trusts and Estates 1
    • Estate Planning
  • Other 2
    • Probate & Trust
    • Wills

Practice Details

  • Languages
    English
  • Payment Information
    Payment & Cost Features
    Free initial consultation
    Fixed hourly rates: $225 - $250/hr
    Fixed fees available
    Contingency Fee: 10% - 20%
    Accepted Credit Cards
    MasterCard
    Other
    Visa
  • Video Calls
    Offers Video Calls
    Video Call Options
    Zoom
  • Firm Information
    Position
    Partner
    Firm Name
    A Affordable Attorney, Gerling Law Group
  • Additional Links

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    New Jersey
    2001, Florida
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    Quinnipiac University
    Class of 2001
    J.D.
    Other Education
    Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
    Class of 1998
    B.S.

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Attorneys FAQs

  • What year was this attorney first admitted to the bar?
    Mrs. Dana Laganella Gerling was admitted in 2001 to the State of Florida.
  • Is this attorney admitted to the bar in more than one state?
    Yes, Mrs. Dana Laganella Gerling is admitted to practice in Florida and New Jersey.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, Mrs. Dana Laganella Gerling has a 4.9 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Client Review rated?
    Yes, Mrs. Dana Laganella Gerling has a 5.0 Client Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • How many attorneys are in this law firm?
    A Affordable Attorney, Gerling Law Group has 3 attorneys at this location.