East County lawyer receives elite reward

A Philadelphia native who has a passion for helping others, local attorney Dana Laganella Gerling is again embracing the spotlight.

Gerling has received a range of awards, such as the Rising Stars in Florida, Legal Elite and she was among just 7% of the wealth managers in the Sarasota region to earn a Five Star Wealth Manager award.

Recently, Gerling added the Super Lawyer rating to her list.

Gerling's name has been added to the 2015 Super Lawyer's List — an honor fewer than 5% of attorneys statewide receive. The award recognizes lawyers who have earned a degree of personal achievement and peer recognition, from more than 70 areas.

The selection process is multi-phased and includes peer nominations and evaluations, and independent research on the candidates.

Gerling and her husband, Rodney, founded their Sarasota-based firm, Affordable Attorney, Gerling Law Group Chartered, more than eight years ago. The duo said starting its own firm is a culmination of a shared vision to create cost effective client-centered service.