His undergraduate education was completed at Duke University where he majored in economics and graduated with a B.A. degree cum laude in 1977. He graduated from the University of Georgia Law School where his studies placed primary emphasis in the areas of business law and local government.

His real estate practice involves representing lenders, lessees, homeowners' associations and developers. It includes handling foreclosures; undertaking and managing the legal aspects of the purchase, sale, exchange, financing, refinancing, and construction of industrial and commercial facilities and urban revitalization projects; assisting developers to obtain financing and necessary federal, state and local environmental, zoning, and other regulatory permits and approval; and assisting in all phases of residential property sales, including drafting and negotiating sales contracts, consulting with real estate agents, obtaining construction and permanent financing, monitoring title investigations, and representing sellers and purchasers at closings.

Mr. Gerard has also served as city attorney for Garden City, Georgia, since 1991 during which time he has also served as a consultant for a number of other municipalities in Southeast Georgia.