Practice Areas: Family law; view more
Licensed in New York since: 2001
Education: Stanford Law School
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2013 - 2022 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2011 Call today:
212-935-3131
Virtual Appointments 
Free Consultation Gallet Dreyer & Berkey, LLP
845 Third AvenueFifth Floor
New York, NY 10022 Visit website
Details
Allen A. Drexel concentrates his practice on complex family law issues, including divorce, equitable distribution of business and financial assets, spousal and child support, contested child custody cases, paternity proceedings, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and same-sex family law matters.
Whether negotiating agreements, mediating disputes, or, when necessary, advocating in the trial and appellate courts, Mr. Drexel strives to achieve practical, creative, and cost-effective solutions to the challenging and often emotionally charged issues facing his clients. He has written and lectured extensively on these topics and has been cited in The New York Times, the New York Law Journal, New York Magazine, The Daily Beast, Above the Law, and other publications regarding family law issues.
Practice areas
Family lawFocus areas
Alimony & spousal support, Child support, Custody & visitation, Divorce, Domestic violence, Paternity, Prenuptial agreements, Marital property, Mediation & collaborative law, Same sex family law
- 100% Family law
First Admitted: 2001, New York
Professional Webpage: https://www.gdblaw.com/Allen-Drexel
- Honoree for pro bono service, 2007, 2009, Empire State Counsel
- New York Metro Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2011 Â
- New York Metro Super Lawyers, 2013-2019
- Career award for "tireless efforts on behalf of the LGBT community", Arthur S. Leonard Prize, New York City Bar Association, 2016
- Honoree for pro bono service, Empire State Counsel, 2009
- 2017-2020, AV Preeminent rating, Martindale-Hubbell
- Selected for inaugural issue of National Law Journal's "Trailblazers in Divorce, Trusts & Estates", National Law Journal, 2016
- AV Preeminent rating, Martindale-Hubbell, 2018
- Co-Chair, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Rights Committee, New York City Bar Association, 2005 - 2008
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- Member, Family Law Section, Legislation Committee, New York State Bar Association, 2008 - Present
- New York City Bar Association, 2001 - Present
- Co-Chair, Membership Committee, New York State Bar Association Family Law Section, 2018-Present
- Member, Executive Committee of the New York State Bar's Family Law Section, New York State Bar Association, 2012 - Present
- Member, Family Law Section, New York State Bar Association, 2006 - Present
- Member, Matrimonial Law Committee, New York City Bar Association, 2017-Present, 2010-2013Â
- Member, Family Law Section, American Bar Association, 2005 - Present
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- Dartmouth College, A.B., Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1991
- University of Sussex, M.A., 1992
- Scholarly Writing, Project Co-Coordinator and Lead Drafter, 1,324 Reasons for Marriage Equality in New York State, New York City Bar Association and Empire State Pride Agenda report, 2007
- Advancing Equality Through Financial & Legal Planning, Panel Discussion, hosted by Bernstein Global Wealth Management (May 2, 2012)
- Life After Windsor: Where Are We Now?, Presentation to New York County Lawyers’ Association, Matrimonial Law Section (September 10, 2013)
- Scholarly Writing, Co-Author, Children’s Best Interests: Divorce Law, Same-Sex Marriage Debate, New York Law Journal, 2006
- Scholarly Writing, Author, Before Paris Burned: Race, Class, and Male Homosexuality on the Chicago South Side, 1935–1960, Creating A Place For Ourselves: Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Community Histories 119, 1997
- CLE Presentation, Marriage Equality in New York: The New Legal Landscape for Same-Sex Couples, New York City Bar Association, 2011
- CLE Presentation, What Passage of the Marriage Equality Law Will Mean for Same-Sex Couples in New York: A Multidisciplinary Forum, New York City Bar Association, 2011
- CLE Presentation, Same-Sex Marriage in New York – What Every Practitioner Needs to Know, New York State Bar Association, 2011
- Presentation, Matrimonial Law Committee – New York State Bar Association, 2011
- CLE Presentation, Love Among the DOMAs: Conflict of Law Issues Affecting New York LGBT Families & Domestic Partners, New York City Bar Association, 2007
- CLE Presentation, Planning for Same-Sex & Unmarried Couples: Probate, Property & Family Law, New York City Bar Association, 2009
- CLE Presentation, Beyond Ozzie & Harriet: Representing Non-Traditional Couples in the Paterson Era, New York City Bar Association, 2008
- CLE Program, Chair, Culturally Competent Lawyering for At-Risk LGBTQ Youth: Advocating Effectively in Foster Care & Juvenile Detention Systems, New York City Bar Association, 2008
- Marriage Equality - The Paper Anniversary: Updates on Case Law & Developments, CLE Presentation, New York City Bar Association, June 25, 2012
- Presentation regarding (i) impact on same-sex spouses of federal Defense of Marriage Act and inconsistent recognition of same-sex marriages outside New York state, and (ii) related planning issues, New York City Bar Association, Matrimonial Law Committee, September 8, 2011
- Same-Sex Civil Union Dissolution, 2010
- Cave Canem Foundation, Board of Directors (2018-present; Secretary, 2019-present), 2018
- Prenuptial Agreement, 2010
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Allen is an asset to the matrimonial bar and is the attorney to go for with LGBT family law issues.”
Office location for Allen A. Drexel
845 Third Avenue
Fifth Floor
New York, NY 10022
Phone: 212-935-3131
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2013 - 2022
- Rising Stars: 2011
