About

Cresston Gackle moved from his home state of Iowa to Minnesota to pursue an education at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Cresston then attended the University of Minnesota Law School and joined the Child Advocacy & Juvenile Justice Clinic where he represented children, grandparents, relatives, and guardians ad litem in a variety of family and juvenile court matters ranging from third-party custody to delinquency. Cresston counseled his clients on their best options, drafted the necessary documents, and advocated for them in court hearings.In addition to his clinical work, Cresston focused on practical research experiences at the Minnesota Board of Public Defense – Appellate Office, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, and the University of Minnesota Law School. Cresston wrote memos based on research and review of thousands of cases and hundreds of pages of documents.EXPERIENCEAfter law school, Cresston clerked for a judge in Hennepin County in the Family, Civil, and Juvenile Divisions for three years. As a clerk, Cresston deeply researched the law and legal rules, reviewed thousands of pages of filings, drafted hundreds of orders on petitions and motions, and filed thousands of documents. He also communicated calmly, effectively, and firmly with the public, including attorneys and self-represented parties, on difficult and emotional issues. He also observed how counsel negotiate cases in the Family, Civil, and Juvenile Courts, and how judges and others evaluate the facts and law.Cresston is exceptionally familiar with how judges make decisions as well as the administrative processes required to get favorable results.Cresston enjoys reading about developments in juvenile and family law, keeping pace with any changes, trends, or reforms.VOLUNTEER WORKCresston has focused his volunteer efforts on tutoring youth. In college, he tutored students at North and South High Schools in Minneapolis in math as well as students of all ages in reading and math at Safe Place Homework Help in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. Cresston has been volunteering for YouthLink, a Twin Cities organization aimed at ending youth homelessness, as a GED tutor and Vice President of the Young Professionals Board. Cresston is also active in the Reader/Writer program, providing feedback and encouraging middle and high school students to write.Cresston is also committed to providing pro bono legal work through area organizations, including Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, the Hennepin and Ramsey County Bar Associations, and the Children's Law Center.In his free time, Cresston enjoys reading about juvenile law, playing modern board games with friends, and going to the many fairs and festivals in Minnesota.

Practices Areas

Child custody

Child support

Family

Juvenile Law

Language

English

Contact