Gwen M. Neal, well-known as “Aurora,” brings a lifetime of experience to her law practice. Aurora grew up with a strong sense of family values. She entered her professional life as an elementary music teacher in Fairbanks. Her love of children and the high value she has always placed on children’s positive sense of self contributed to her success as a teacher, and provided a back-drop for her work in custody and divorce cases.
Education: Juris Doctor, William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, MN 2006
M.A. Culture and Spirituality, Holy Names College, Oakland, CA 1996
B.A Vocal Music, College of St. Benedict, St. Joesph, MN 1976
Bar Admissions: Alaska State and Federal Courts
Pro Bono Work: Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Organizations: Alaska Bar Association, American Bar Association, Board of Directors of the Kenai Peninsula Bar Association, Alaska and American Bar Association Family Law Sections, ABA Alternate Dispute Resolution Committee, Alaska Criminal Defense Lawyers (AKCDL)
Gwen M. Neal, Attorney at Law LLC
Aurora’s second career – construction management – evolved when she married Tony Neal in 1985. Aurora worked with Neal & Company, Inc. for 15+ years in commercial, industrial and heavy construction in rural Alaska and on military bases in Alaska and Guam. In Aurora’s construction experience she dealt with tough people in high-stakes, high-conflict situations. This prepared her for the inherent conflict in divorce, custody, and contested probate, and contributed to honing her negotiation strategies and skills which she uses on a daily basis from seemingly small matters, to formal Mediation, Resolution Conferences and Settlement Agreements. Aurora is also the President of the Kenai Peninsula Bar Association and has been awarded the 2014 Pro Bono Award from the Alaska Bar Association and the 2017 Distinguished Lawyer Award from Expert Network.
Aurora is mother to four adult children, Sarah and Jeff, her step-children, Siri, adopted from India at 7 years of age, and Amy, her foster-daughter. Aurora continues to enjoy music, especially singing. She balances her legal work with jewelry-making, exercise, and traveling. Aurora is adept at running her law practice long-distance. She spends 5 weeks each summer working in her practice while commercial fishing in the tough, Bristol Bay environs.
(907) 299-8820
P.O. Box 3368
Homer, AK 99603-3368
(907) 299-8820
Fax: (866) 961-6317
gmnLaw@GwenMNeal.com
