Areas of practice
Profile snapshot
- No reviews
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- Since 1987
- 39 yrs
- Bar admissions
- 2
- By appointment
- In office
No reviews
Since 1987
Bar admissions
By appointment
Gary A. Debele at a glance
Verified credentials for Gary A. Debele sourced from Messerli Kramer.
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Areas of practice
Practice focus
Gary A. Debele represents clients in Minneapolis, Minnesota across the following areas of law. Each area links to other verified attorneys with the same focus.
Biography
About Gary A. Debele
Gary Debele is a 1987 graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School and since 1991 has focused his practice on a uniquely broad and all encompassing conception of family law. Through his membership in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the International Academy of Family Law Attorneys, and the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, he has built relationships with professionals in his areas of family law expertise across the United States and across the globe. In addition to managing his practice, Gary also serves as the Chair of the Family Law group.
His family law practice includes not only the usual areas of divorce, custody, and parentage, but also several specialized areas that many family law practitioners avoid. He has represented clients with large and complex closely held family businesses, often with accompanying sophisticated estate planning vehicles. He has been involved with divorces and custody disputes with interstate and international aspects. With particular expertise in the interplay of juvenile and family court, he is also experienced in juvenile court practice and can address child protection issues that might spill into anyone’s family court proceeding.
In addition to assisting with family and relationship breakdowns, he has a sophisticated family formation practice which has him working in all aspects of adoption—from the simplest stepparent adoption to complex interstate and international adoptions, and even contested adoptions and adoptions that are dissolving. Gary works with all aspects of assisted reproduction and surrogacy, drafting donor contracts for all varieties of genetic material, gestational carrier and traditional surrogate contracts; and works to establish parentage in all of those situations, whether within the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin, across the country or internationally.
Gary assists clients with appeals at all levels of state and federal courts. He is also a certified mediator and member of the Collaborative Law Institute, assisting clients who wish to avoid litigation.
Gary is experienced with estate planning for small to moderate sized estate, guardianship provisions for children, and prenuptial, postnuptial, or cohabitation agreements. He also handles matters in tribal court including those associated with the Indian Child Welfare Act.
Credentials
Education
University of Minnesota
J.D. · 1987
Saint Olaf College
B.A.
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
M.A.
Jurisdictions
Bar admissions
Wisconsin
2005 · ACTIVE
Minnesota
1987 · ACTIVE
Recognition
Awards & honors
Lawyer of the Year — Family Law (Minneapolis)
2019
Lawyer of the Year — Family Law (Minneapolis)
2011
Best Lawyers in America — Family Law
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Adoption
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Appellate
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Assisted Reproduction
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Child Custody
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Collaborative Law
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Divorce
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Grandparents' Rights
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Juvenile Matters
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Prenuptial Agreements
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Fellow, International Academy of Family Lawyers
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Fellow and Charter Member, American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Chicago
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Fellow, American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent For Ethical Standards and Legal Ability
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Family Law Lawyer of the Year in Minneapolis, Best Lawyers
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top 100 Super Lawyer, Minnesota Law & Politics and Minnesota Super Lawyers
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top 40 Minnesota Family Law and Appellate Attorney, Minnesota Super Lawyers
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Super Lawyer, Minnesota Law & Politics and Minnesota Super Lawyers
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Lawyer of the Year, Minnesota Lawyer
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Professional Award Recipient, Hennepin County Bar Association Family Law Section
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top 10 Super Lawyer, Minnesota Law & Politics
2026
Locations
Office locations
Messerli Kramer
50 S. 6th Street Suite 2300
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
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Schedule your consultationFrequently asked
Common questions
What areas of law does Gary A. Debele practice?
Gary A. Debele focuses on Family Law.
Where is Gary A. Debele located?
Gary A. Debele primarily serves clients in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with an office at 50 S. 6th Street Suite 2300.
How experienced is Gary A. Debele?
Gary A. Debele has 39 years of legal practice, having been licensed since 1987.
Is Gary A. Debele a verified attorney?
Gary A. Debele's profile is listed but has not yet been claimed by the attorney. Verification status is pending.
How can I schedule a consultation with Gary A. Debele?
You can book a consultation through LawyersListed directly from this page. Initial outreach can also be made by phone at 612-672-3600.
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