Robert Gerard is a shareholder/partner of Friedman Stroffe & Gerard, P.C. and is the Chairperson of the Firm’s Employment & Labor Law Practice Group and the Firm’s Sports Law Practice Group.

Robert represents both large and small employers in state and federal court wrongful discharge litigation, discrimination litigation, sexual harassment litigation, unfair competition litigation, and wage and hour disputes.  In addition, Robert regularly represents employers in investigations and administrative proceedings before the United States Department of Labor, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, and the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing.

Robert regularly counsels employers regarding the review, development, and implementation of personnel policies and employee handbooks.  He also helps employers avoid employment law liability, particularly in the sexual harassment area.  In addition, Robert has led several campaigns for clients to maintain a "union free" workplace.

On the sports law side, Robert has represented both sponsors and individual athletes in countless professional athlete sponsorship contract negotiations.  He has also worked extensively on sponsorship agreements and athlete releases for numerous sporting events.

During his law career, Robert has represented numerous surf industry companies and individual surfer athletes.  Robert has also represented several ski area clients including:  Big Bear Mountain Resorts which include Snow Summit and Bear Mountain; Snow Valley; Sierra-at-Tahoe; and Northstar-at-Tahoe.

Robert’s fellow Orange County lawyers elected Robert to the position of President of the 9,000 member Orange County Bar Association for 2003.  In 2004, Robert was chosen as Orange County's TOP GUN Trial Lawyer by the Orange County Bar Association Business Litigation Section.

Robert received his B.A. in Philosophy from Monmouth University in 1978 and his J.D. from the University of San Diego, School of Law in 1987, where he was the Executive Editor of the San Diego Law Review.  He is a member of the Orange County Bar Association (Board of Directors, 1992 – 2004; President, 2003; Judiciary Committee, 1994 – 2000; Chairperson of the Labor & Employment Law Section, 1991) and the Ocean Institute (Board of Directors 1992 – 2005).  He is also council and advisory member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Surfing Professionals ("ASP") and chairs the Rules & Disciplinary Commitee for the ASP Professional Surf Tour.  Robert also serves as the general counsel for Surfing America, the governing body for amateur surfing in North America.  Robert also serves on the Balboa Bay Club Board of Governors and served a two year term as Chairman of the Board of Directors for SurfAid International, USA.

Robert is a member of the California bar and admitted to practice before numerous federal courts throughout the country.

Email: rgerard@fsglawyers.com