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C. Gunnstaks
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C. Gunnstaks
Gunnstaks Law Office
15150 Preston Rd
Suite 300
Dallas, TX 75248-4871
Phone: (972) 392-2300 | Fax: (214) 619-0636
http://www.gunnstakslaw.com
Listed in "Super Lawyers"® for Family Law
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
I have no preference and may handle any family law or entertainment law cases that I believe require my level of expertise. I enjoy resolving high-conflict custody and property cases more than less-challenging opportunities.
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Name Changes
- Restraining Orders
- Enforcement Actions
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Sexual Abuse
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Children's Rights
- Custody
- Foster Care
- Paternity
- State Child Protection
- Visitation
- Civil Unions
- Common Law Marriage
- Domestic Partnerships
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender Rights
- Living Together/Cohabitation
- Marriage
- Power of Attorney
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
- Grandparent Rights
- Termination of Parental Rights
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
I have no preference and may handle any family law or entertainment law cases that I believe require my level of expertise. I enjoy resolving high-conflict custody and property cases more than less-challenging opportunities.
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
- Annulment
- Child Support
- Custody/Visitation Rights
- Delinquent Support Payments
- Division of Property
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR)
- Restraining Orders
- Uncontested Divorce
- Collaborative Law
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender (LGBT) Rights
Bar Admissions
TX, May 1991
Bar Number: 08624370
Specialty Certifications
Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Other Court Admissions
All Texas State Courts and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas.
Association Memberships
American Bar Association (Member, Family, Litigation and Entertainment/Sports Law Sections); State Bar of Texas (Member, Family, Entertainment/Sports, Litigation and SOGII [Non-Traditional Family Relationships] Law Sections); Dallas Bar Association (Member, Family and Entertainment/Sports Law Sections); Collin County Bar Association (Member, Family Law Section); Fellow, College of the State Bar of Texas.
Continuing Education
I attend continuing legal education seminars on the topics of Family Law, Entertainment Law and Litigation. I have always exceeded the required amount of continuing legal education hours, and have been told by personal who would know at the State Bar of Texas, that I attend more State Bar of Texas continuing legal education courses than any other attorney in the State of Texas.
Papers and Publications
State Bar of Texas Advanced Family Law Course - 21st Century Issues Dealing With Non-Traditional Relationships: Dividing Property Between Unmarried Persons
Example Cases
A) Moroch v. Moroch, 174 S.W.3rd 849 (05-03-00492-CV, 09-06-05), Divorce-Economic Contribution, Attorney's Fees, etc., award of 100% of community estate to my client.
B. Clark v. Funk, 05-97-01897-CV (5th Court of Appeals, Dallas County, Texas), Divorce, etc., my clients, as grandparents, were awarded rights as Co-Primary Joint Managing Conservators over objections of the mother in a divorce.
C) Di Sibio v. Parish, 02-06-00267-CV (2nd Court of Appeals, Tarrant County, Texas), Post-Divorce Modification, Attorney's Fees, etc., my client was awarded $20,000 in attorney's fees to be paid by the opposing party.
Education
Degree:
B.A.
School:
University of Florida
City:
Gainesville
State:
FL
Year:
1973
Honors:
Phi Betta Kappa, President's List, Dean's List, Etc.
Focus and Accomplishments:
History
Degree:
J.D.
School:
Southern Methodist University
City:
Dallas
State:
TX
Year:
1990
Number of Attorneys
2
State Licensed In
Texas
Firm Focus and History
Gunnstaks Law Office was established in 1991 in Dallas, Texas representing clients in high-conflict family law litigation anywhere in Texas, including dissolutions or marriage/divorce, modifications, clarifications, enforcements, adoptions and terminations, etc. Our trial court victories on behalf of our clients have been sustained on appeal by appellate courts up to and including the Texas Supreme Court.
Previous Employment Summary
Prior to being licensed by the Texas Supreme Court in May, 1991, I was a professional entertainer and musician from 1974 until 1988.
Activities and Awards
Recipient: Texas Music Award, 1982, Member "Best Pop Band."
Listed in "Super Lawyers"® for Family Law, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007; Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists (Director, 2001-2008); Fellow, College of the State Bar of Texas.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
Better educated clients tend to be more realistic in their expectations and more helpful in preparing their case for trial. This tends to help conserve costs.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I can review such documents if requested, with the understanding that my staff can probably prepare many documents quicker and cheaper than the time and cost required to review documents originated by a client or pro se party.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I will do that gladly, at our standard hourly rate, billed in 6 minute segments (.1 hour each 6 minutes).
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I know how difficult it had been for me to find an attorney who not only truly cared about the quality of representation provided in Family Law, but who was also able to effectively communicate that concern on my behalf in the interests of justice and fairness and in the best interest of the children. I have been there and done that, and now I am able to fulfill that need for my chosen clientèle in high conflict and/or high profile Family Law litigation for dysfunctional families.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
My 15 years as a professional entertainer (prior to attending law school) have helped me better relate to people and to effectively communicate my client's concerns to the judge or jury.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I left my prior career as a professional musician in order to protect the best interests of my own infant daughter, and I have remained in this field even after gaining custody of her many years ago, due to my continuing concern for the best interest of the children of my clients, and my own familiarity with the intricacies of the legal system.
What do you like best about your career?
I find it is very satisfying to serve the interests of justice by protecting the interests of my clients and their children. I believe my personal efforts have, by the grace of God, contributed to literally saving the lives and emotional health of dozens of children and clients.
Tell us about your law firm:
I have a wonderful paralegal who is attentive to my clients' immediate needs; my staff has a wealth of knowledge and are each sensitive to the needs of my clients; another multi-talented paralegal is a former client who quit her prior career to work in my office as a result of her belief in the principals of justice we strive to uphold here day-after-day, 365 days a year.
What are your strengths and style?
I truly believe that no one can do exactly what I do in the way I believe it should be done, especially in high-conflict family law cases dealing with highly dysfunctional families. I have been told by multiple opponents that I am the most creative attorney that they have ever had the opportunity to face. I welcome challenging cases. High-conflict cases are always considered and are often accepted.
Personal Interests:
Family Law, Entertainment Law, High-Conflict Litigation, protecting the legitimate interest of my clients and preserving the rights guaranteed to all citizens by the Constitution of the United States of America and the the State of Texas in the interest of justice and fairness, and in the best interest of the children of my clients.
Office Manager/Assistant
Maryanne / Tamara
Fax
(214) 619-0636
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
No
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Hourly rates for representations. Document preparation for pro se persons may have price-per-page rates depending on complexity of issues.
Hourly Rates
Varies depending on circumstances; call to discuss.
Free Initial Consultation?
$250 for a 45-minute consultation for myself; $195 for a 45-minute consultation for my associate.
Typical Retainer
$13,500 as of 1/1/08, subject to exceptions under exceptional circumstances.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
