Biography
Adam D. Gelof is a Delaware attorney who comes to Tunnell & Raysor, P.A. following his retirement on January 1, 2022 from over 25 years of service as a Deputy Attorney General in the State of Delaware's, Department of Justice (Sussex County DOJ.) In Adam's tenure as a prosecutor he was exclusively a criminal trial attorney assigned predominately to the felony unit. Over his decades of service he had various specialized assignments and handled countless high profile criminal trials. In 2006 he saw the need and created and served as the Head of the Sussex County Special Victims Unit. For over 5 years Adam served as the assigned prosecutor for all sex crimes including sexual abuse and continuous sexual abuse of a child felony investigation in Sussex County. During this period Adam successfully prosecuted hundreds of Rape, Sexual Abuse, and Child abuse cases including many Superior Court trial convictions. At various times he served as "go to" for DNREC felony investigations, DSP Governor's Task force, and Animal Cruelty/SPCA investigations. During his tenure he served as Head of the Felony Drug Unit and the Felony Screening Unit. As a prosecutor, he successfully litigated numerous murder and capital cases including State v. Lamont Norman ("Bi State shooter"), State v. Warrington and State v. Emory. For the past decade or so, his DOJ assignments focused on lead litigator in complex major crimes cases, including Homicide, Racketeering investigations, the most serious felony level assault, domestic abuse, and serial robbery and burglary investigations.
While serving at the Department of Justice, Adam established a reputation for attention to detail and ability to independently handle the most complex matters. In the Sussex County community Adam's reputation as a highly effective trial litigator and advocate combined with a tenacious pursuit of the truth and justice for the most vulnerable of victims. This reputation led to what he considers the ultimate compliment of being the Prosecutor "who you wanted to have assigned to prosecute a case if you or a family member were a victim."
Adam proudly traces his Delaware family roots back to his grandparents who were chicken farmers in Sussex County. Both of his parents were Ivy League alumni with advanced degrees. Adam's father also lived through the depression and proudly served in WWII as 1st Lt. Tank commander in the Army's 3rd Armored Division. Adam attributes the foundation to be successful from his parents and instilled values of work ethic, community and education.
Adam grew up in the Brandywine Park / Trolley Square area then moved to a Hartley farm and graduated from Smyrna High School. Adam spent all of his summers living then working in Rehoboth Beach. It was during that almost decade of summers working then managing Thrasher's French Fries on Rehoboth Avenue when his love of our Cape community became entrenched in him.
Following his graduation from the University of Connecticut (he is always eager to talk Husky hoops), Adam then spent two (2) years as business owner on the campus of Central Connecticut University before returning to Delaware to obtain his JD law degree from Delaware Law School / Widener University.
Tunnell & Raysor, P.A. was Adam's first "real" law job as a law clerk almost 30 years ago. He proudly claims his best life accomplishment was meeting his wife Kelly in law school and convincing her to move to Sussex County Delaware (as she was already a quickly ascending and accomplished Philadelphia based attorney.)
If you meet Adam it becomes quickly apparent his true love and focus has always been family and our Cape community. Coaching became a passion and he greatly enjoyed time spent with his two sons coaching their YMCA basketball, Little League and travel baseball teams. Ultimately seeing a need he founded, created and ran as labor of love the Bagel Bombers travel baseball organization (501c3) which is still going as the largest (20+ teams) travel baseball organization in the state. During that process he was able to weave in his value and respect for service to country and memory of his father by adopting and incorporating many of his father's military service references and values. He has a bit of a creative side and created all the logos, helmet and uniform designs that are still being used a decade later in that process. The confidence from that process led him to create and design other designs including the Cape Henlopen High School Soccer Boys and Girls Crest and Rehoboth Little League logo. Now, Adam's passion for sports is traveling and being in the stands watching his sons play baseball for the University of Virginia and endeavoring to climb the professional baseball ranks.
Adam will be representing individuals and companies in Real Estate transactions at Tunnell & Raysor, P.A. When asked about the move to a Real Estate practice at T&R, "I feel like it's a natural full circle for me. I started at T&R, I travel a good deal but there is no match for my love of this community. I don't think you could call a better place home. I am so thankful for this opportunity to return to the best law firm in the area. My parents were extremely active in real property investment and development. I have a good deal of personal experience in real estate and believe it's in my blood. Focusing on real estate is something I've had to put on hold while serving our community with the Department of Justice." "I have the experience, desire and ability to be there for someone looking to make an educated investment in this community. I will help them with both the small details and the big picture perspective of people, business and places learned though my life experiences while advising them."