Overview

Gabrielle "Gabe" Lawrence in the Firm’s Lansing office uses the phrase “attorney and counselor” to best describe her approach to helping individuals through some of life's biggest transitions including marriage, divorce, estate planning, and trust and estate administration. As an experienced family lawyer and estate planner, Gabe listens for what is most important to her clients and helps them move forward with their goals.    

Family Law

Gabe serves family law clients across mid-Michigan in a wide variety of matters, from straightforward divorces to complicated family situations. She personally works with clients from pre-filing through the conclusion of the divorce or related dispute, including any Friend of the Court preparation and hearings, discovery, mediation, emergency motions, negotiation, trial, and appeals. 

Divorces and the related disputes that may arise after a divorce, including custody, parenting time, and support issues, can be some of life’s most difficult times, but they don’t have to be. As an experienced family lawyer, Gabe believes in encouraging resolution and compromise when possible. She works hard with her clients and opposing counsel to filter out the noise, get to what is important, and get the parties divorced as efficiently and amicably as possible.  

In addition, with a deep understanding that parent-child relationships are irreplaceable, Gabe is passionate about counseling her clients to preserve those relationships and about being a buffer to keep parents from turning or using a child, minors and adults, against the other parent.

Estate Planning      

Gabe has prepared more than 2,500 estate plans for clients. She specializes in probate, estate planning, and trust administration, and has helped clients navigate the ever-changing area of federal estate taxes. In addition to working with clients on basic medical and financial Powers of Attorney, Wills, and Revocable Trusts, Gabrielle has written complex estate planning documents such as Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts, Charitable Remainder Unitrusts, and Qualified Domestic Trusts.

Community Leader

A Lansing native passionate about supporting her community, Gabe is an elected member of the Ingham County Board of Commissioners, and she serves as a board member for Choose Lansing (formerly known as the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau). She is also a sustaining member of the Junior League of Lansing, a member of the Rotary Club of Lansing, and a member of the Ingham County Bar Association.

Gabe served on the Lansing School District Board of Education from 2015 to 2022, serving as President for the last three years of her term. Gabe and her husband are strong supporters of the Lansing School District and their two young children are students in the district.

Gabe is also an active and loyal Spartan alum who loves connecting with other Michigan State alumni and fans, especially around athletic events. Her clients include Spartan athletes, graduates, faculty members, and members of the university’s administration.

Prior to law school, Gabe lived and worked in St. Amand-Montrond, France, where, among many adventures, she learned to cook. Upon returning to Michigan, she began writing (and still writes) a monthly restaurant review column for the Lansing City Pulse titled 'She Ate, He Ate'. At that time, she also began working at the Michigan Department of Civil Rights investigating complaints of unlawful discrimination. She held that position until she started law school. 

Honors & Recognitions

Affiliations

Memberships & Affiliations

Legal Affiliations

• State Bar of Michigan
  • Member
• State Bar of Georgia
  • Member
• Ingham County Bar Association
  • Member

Community Affiliations

• Lansing School District Board of Education
  • Member, (2015-2022), President (2020-2022)
• Junior League of Lansing
  • Member
• Rotary Club of Lansing
  • Member
• Ingham County Board of Commissioners
  • Commissioner. District 10
• Choose Lansing Board of Directors
  • Member

Communications

News & Events

Speaking Engagements

• Holiday Spirit Savers for Year-End Parenting Time, Second Wednesday Sessions, December 11, 2024
• Back to School: Balancing Careers, Schedules and Divorce, Legal Strategies for Women Leaders, August 7, 2024
• Children Are Our Future: Mastering Advanced Concepts of Custody, Parenting Time & Support, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) Conference, May 2, 2024

News

• Preparing Women Business Leaders for 2024 Legal Challenges, Meltwater Newswire, February 20, 2024
• Foster Swift to Welcome Attorneys and Staff from Loomis Law Firm, EIN Newswire, November 7, 2023

Media

2nd Wednesday Lunch Break

Holiday Spirit Savers for Year-End Parenting Time

Legal Strategies for Women Leaders

Back to School Guide: How to Balance Careers, Schedules & Divorce