Form Object

Gary was raised in Jacksonville Florida in the home of a Baptist Minister, and went to college
at the University of Florida where he majored in Music Theory. Gary continued on to
Law School at UF and, upon earning his Juris Doctorate, returned to the Jacksonville area to practice.

Gary was blessed to be part of two top quality firms prior to founding Wise Counsel Legal Services.
From 1999 to 2004, his practice was focused on commercial litigation matters. In 2004, Gary's practice
shifted and had a new focus; Labor and Employment disputes along with Human Resources matters.
In addition to his practice in the state, federal and appellate courts of Florida, over the past decade Gary
has litigated and/or participated in Alternative Dispute Resolution proceedings in California, Georgia, Kansas,
Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina and Texas.

In 2008, Gary completed the rigorous training and observational requirements to become certified by the
Supreme Court of Florida as a Circuit Court Mediator. This training and certification allows Gary to assist any
party in a civil dispute to reach a reasonable and beneficial resolution.

Beginning in 2003, an increasing portion of Gary's practice became representing churches, church members,
staff and religious organizations in church-related disputes. In 2009, Gary came to recognize God's call to do this
work full-time. Thus, Wise Counsel Legal Services was born.

Wise Counsel's offices are located in Keystone Heights, FL and, therefore, centrally located to be within a short drive
from most churches in northern and central Florida.

Gary's Areas of Practice
  • Church Law
  • Church Governance and Polity Disputes
  • Property Disputes
  • Bylaw review and drafting
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Mediation
  • Arbitration
  • Labor & Employment Law
  • Commercial Law
  • Contract Disputes
  • Non-Compete Litigation
    • Education:
  • J.D., University of Florida, 2000
  • B.M., University of Florida, College of Fine Arts, Department of Music, 1995
    • Memberships
  • Trinity Baptist Church (Keystone Heights, FL - Dr. James Peoples, Pastor)
  • Florida Bar Association
  • Jacksonville Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • American MENSA
    • Admitted to Practice in:
  • All State Courts in Florida
  • U.S. Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. Northern District of Florida
    • Honors:
  • Voted as a Florida "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers Magazine
  • Order of Barristers

    • Founder's Profile
    Home | About | Services | Contact | Founder's Profile | Representative Clients
    W. Gary Yeldell, Esq.
    Attorney, Mediator & Founder of Wise Counsel Legal Services