
Barbara J. Gislason is a solo practitioner offering experienced legal guidance, practical solutions, and aggressive advocacy across a diverse range of legal areas, including family law, animal law, art and entertainment law, and intellectual property law. Her clients benefit from more than 30 years of experience and her unique approach to solving legal problems. Informed and confident, Barbara addresses each individual case with extensive knowledge and resources, always aimed at achieving optimal results for clients both in the short and long term.
While her practice areas span a variety of legal disciplines, Barbara’s clients have an important attribute in common: they need help. Many are going through some of the most difficult times in their lives. Therefore, Barbara concentrates on both the human dimensions of her clients’ situations and the legal strategies that are essential for beneficial resolutions.
A well-known and respected family law and divorce attorney throughout Minnesota, who is nationally recognized as an expert in Animal Law, Barbara has personally handled thousands of family law cases in 20 Minnesota counties. As a trained qualified neutral, she has an in-depth understanding of alternative dispute resolution methods and regularly accompanies her clients to and advocates for them in ADR processes, including early neutral evaluations and mediations. While she has gained a reputation as a skilled and highly respected negotiator, she is also known as a tenacious litigator when her clients’ cases call for courtroom advocacy.
A true Renaissance attorney, Barbara J. Gislason has a diverse range of talents and interests, and she is considered a pioneer in several legal areas. She excels in all areas in which she practices and enjoys a strong track record of success. A trusted advocate for her clients, Barbara is committed to achieving optimal results in every case. Known for being both a skilled negotiator and tenacious litigator, Barbara does not shy away from the courtroom when her clients’ best interests are most effectively pursued at trial.
Areas Of Practice
- Family Law 65%
- Animal Law (including civil and criminal litigation) 30%
- Art and Entertainment/Intellectual Property Law 5%
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota, 1980
- U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1980
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1983
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1998
Education
- William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota
- J.D. - 1980
- Honors: Regional Winner ABA Law Student Div Client Counseling Competition
- Law Review, William Mitchell Law Review
- Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota
- B.S. - 1974
- Major: Pre-Law
- Major: Pre-Med
- Major: Psychology
Published Works
- Pet Law and Custody: Establishing a Worthy and Equitable Jurisprudence for the Evolving Family, ABA Book Publishing, 2017
- Understanding Pet Custody Law: Trends in Animal Law Jurisprudence, Bench & Bar of Minnesota, 2019
- Pet Custody is the Next Big Wave, American Bar Association International Animal Law Committee Newsletter, 2019
- Recent Developments in Animal Law: Leading Lawyers on Complying with Evolving Regulations and Overcoming Animal Righs Challenges, Bob Barker Animal Rights Law Collection, 2015
- Human Hybrids and Chimeras: Exploring the Implications of Biobanks and Pluripotent Cells with Regard to Species Integrity and National Security, Mid-Atlantic Journal on Law and Public Policy, Volume 2, Number 1 (Fall), 2013
- Humans and Great Apes: A Search for Truth and Ethical Principles (co-authored with Mercedes Meyer), Michigan State University College of Law Journal of Animal and Natural Resource Law, Vol. 8, 2012
Honors and Awards
- Excellence in the Advancement of Animal Law Award
- Selected to Minnesota Super Lawyers - Barbara J. Gislason - 1994, 1996 - 2002, 2006 - 2009
- Monique Raynaud-Contamine Scientific Award, Union Internationale des Avocats
- Presidential Gold Medal from President Jorge Marti Moreno, Union Internationale des Avocats
- Outstanding State Chair Award, American Bar Foundation
- Law Student Division Regional Award, American Bar Association
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Outstanding Recognition Award, American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section
- Fellow, American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section
- Outstanding Achievement in Animal Law Award, American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section
- Two Committee Chair Awards, American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section
- Two Exceptional Leadership/Outstanding Achievement Awards, Minnesota State Bar Association

Barbara J. Gislason, the Editor-in-Chief of the Juriste International, awaits to receive the Presidential Gold Medal bestowed upon her by the President of the Paris-based Union International des Avocats (UIA), Jorge Marti. This is the second major honor Gislason received from this venerable and highly respected international bar association dating back to 1927. Previously, she won the Monique-Raynaud Contamine Award for the best scientific paper at the UIA Congress in Luxembourg.
Past Employment Positions
- The Gislason Agency (Literary Agency), Owner, 1992 to 2001
- Hennepin County District Court, Referee, Family Court, 1985 to 1998
- Mitchell Hamline University School of Law, Adjunct Professor (1983 and 2004)
- Babcock, Locher, Neilson & Mannella, Attorneys at Law, Associate, 1980 to 1985
- Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Adjunct Professor, 1985 to 1990