Practice areas: Family Law, Entertainment & Sports; view more
Licensed in Texas since: 1991
Education: Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2003 - 2009, 2019 - 2025 Call today:
972-590-6572
Virtual Appointments Gunnstaks Law Office
5550 Granite PkwySuite 165
Plano, TX 75024 Visit website
C. "Luke" Gunnstaks founded his law firm, GUNNSTAKS LAW OFFICE, with the goal of providing high-quality family law services to the residents of the cities of Dallas, Plano, McKinney, Frisco, as well as other North Texas Cities and West Texas Counties. Since his firm's doors first opened in 1991, Mr. Gunnstaks has provided his clients with legal services tailored to fit their individual needs. His dedication and personalized service are only two of the reasons why area residents continue to turn to him for assistance with high-conflict custody cases and high-asset, contentious divorces. Challenging cases are ALWAYS considered and are often accepted.
Mr. Gunnstaks began practicing law in 1991 after earning his Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and his admission to the State Bar of Texas. In 1994, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas followed suit and approved him to practice law in its courtrooms. In addition to the nods of approval from the courts, the Texas Board of Legal Specialization has also recognized him as a Board-certified expert attorney in the area of family law for almost 30 years.
Since beginning his legal career, Mr. Gunnstaks has earned the respect of his peers and his clients. He has been a featured guest speaker on family law and entertainment law topics and has received numerous honors due to his outstanding legal abilities. He holds a "Superb" Avvo rating, and he is a former 8-year Director and long-term member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, as well as a long-term member of the Texas Bar College, which is an honorary society limited to the most highly trained attorneys in the state.
Attorney Gunnstaks is not only a highly regarded attorney but also a valued member of the legal community. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar Of Texas, the Dallas Bar Association and the Litigation Counsel of America.
Practice areas
Family Law, Entertainment & SportsFocus areas
Adoption, Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Dissolution, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Entertainment, Sports & Leisure Law, Father's Rights, Marital Property, Name Change, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements, Same Sex Family Law
- 90% Family Law
- 10% Entertainment & Sports
First Admitted: 1991, Texas
Professional Webpage: http://www.gunnstakslaw.com/Attorneys/C-L-Gunnstaks.shtml
Bar / Professional Activity
- Licensed to practice law in Texas by The Supreme Court Of Texas, May 1991, 1991
- Litigation Counsel of America
- Member, American Bar Association, Entertainment/Sports Law Section
- Member, Dallas Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Member, Collin County Bar Association
- Member, Dallas Bar Association, Entertainment/Sports Law Section
- Member, American Bar Association, Litigation Section
- Member, State Bar of Texas, Entertainment/Sports Law Section
- Member, Dallas Bar Association
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 1994
- Member, American Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Member, State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- See Martindale-Hubbell listing
Videos
- See State Bar of Texas Professional Development Program video archives, "21st Century Issues Dealing with Non Traditional Relationships: Dividing Property Between Unmarried Persons", State Bar of Texas PDP, 2007, Legal, 2007
Representative Clients
- CONFIDENTIAL: VARIOUS CELEBRITIES AND WEALTHY INDIVIDUALS
- See Martindale-Hubbell listing, incorporated herein
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Board Certified Specialist in Family Law, Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1996
Honors
- Nation's Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2015 - Present, Member, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DISTINGUISHED COUNSEL, 2025
- Hyatt Superdome, New Orleans, Crockett Cup Clash of Champions, 1986, Performer, Hyatt Superdome, New Orleans, 1986
- Fellow, College of the State Bar of Texas, 1991-2025 , Fellow, College Of The State Bar Of Texas, 1991
- Director, 2001-2008, Director, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists
- Recipient, Texas Music Award, 1982, Member, Texas Music Awards, 1982
- New Orleans 1984 World's Fair Amphitheater, Performer, 1984 World's Fair, 1984
- Phi Beta Kappa, Summa cum laude, Member, B.A. History, University of Florida, 1973
- Co-Course Director, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists Annual Trial Institute, 2008, Co-Course Director Annual Trial Institute, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 2008
- U.S. Marine Corps Ball, Irving, TX., 1987, Performer, U.S.M.C., 1987
- Featured Performer, Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon, Atlantic City, N.J., 1987, Performer, Jerry Lewis National Annual Muscular Dystrophy Telethon, 1987
Educational Background
- University of Florida, Gainesville, B.A. in History, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa; M.A. Fellowship recipient 1973-74., 1969-1973
White Papers
- See Title above, Table of Contents and article itself, "21st Century Issues Dealing with Non Traditional Relationships: Dividing Property Between Unmarried Persons", State Bar of Texas PDP, 2007, Legal, 2007
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Speaker, "21st Century Issues Dealing with Non Traditional Relationships: Dividing Property Between Unmarried Persons", State Bar of Texas PDP, 2007, Author, Speaker, "21st Century Issues Dealing with Non Traditional Relationships: Dividing Property Between Unmarried Persons", State Bar of Texas PDP, 2007, State Bar of Texas, Legal, 2007
- Speaker, Dallas Bar Association Entertainment Law Section and Entertainment Law Study Group, (various topics), 1992-2004, Speaker, Speaker, Dallas Bar Association Entertainment Law Section and Entertainment Law Study Group, (various topics), 1992-2004, Dallas Bar Association, Legal, Entertainment, 2004
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“A classic of how attorneys should practice. The ultimate professional.”
“10-Time SuperLawyer in Family Law, including for 2019, 2020 and 2021; Complex high-dollar and Nasty cases in North Texas and West Texas; will travel.”
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2003 - 2009, 2019 - 2025
Certificates and credentials
Family Law
Additional sources of information about C. Gunnstaks
"Ask a Lawyer" answers provided by C. Gunnstaks
- Q: What Should High-Income Earners Know About Child Support In Texas?
A: Unless you have children with "special needs", Texas caps the maximum amount of child support payable to any one mother of your children. The Texas … - Q: How Can I Reduce The Cost Of My Texas Divorce?
A: PLEASE get a VALID & BINDING TEXAS Prenuptual Agreement signed prior to marriage!
