Steven J. Gard

Main Practice Areas

• Litigation   

Additional Practice Areas

Securities Litigation and Arbitration; Securities Investigations and Enforcement Defense; General Business Litigation; Contract Disputes; Restrictive Covenants and Non-Compete Agreements; Insurance Coverage Disputes

About Steven J. Gard

During most of his more than 30 years of practicing law, Steven Gard has concentrated his practice in the areas of securities litigation and arbitration, and has represented investors and brokerage firm employees in connection with civil lawsuits and arbitrations, as well as investigations and administrative proceedings conducted by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and various state securities commissions.  Mr. Gard also has acted as issuer’s and as underwriter’s counsel in connection with both public and private financings, mergers, reorganizations and acquisitions and has represented registered investment advisors in connection with their initial registration and their ongoing compliance and regulatory matters.  While practicing in Atlanta, Georgia, he won a jury verdict in excess of a million dollars in a federal court trial.

Mr. Gard’s experience includes government service as an enforcement attorney with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Missouri before entering private practice.  He has authored numerous articles in the securities area and has also spoken on securities topics at legal education and securities industry seminars.  Articles published or co-published by Mr. Gard include “Securities Arbitration-Shortcut to Justice” published in Financial Planning, “When Private Companies Invite the Public Inside” published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle, “Securities Disputes after McMahon” published in The Connecticut Law Tribune, and “A Message to Mediators” published in the Securities Arbitration Commentator.  He has also served as an arbitrator and mediator for FINRA, the New York Stock Exchange and the American Arbitration Association, as well as an instructor for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Emory University Trial Techniques Program.

Mr. Gard is a native of Detroit, Michigan, and has practiced law since 1976.  He received his undergraduate degree with honors from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and his law degree from Washington University in St. Louis, where he was a member of the Regional Moot Court team.

Mr. Gard has been certified by The Florida Bar as an expert in the field of business litigation. Certification is the highest level of recognition by The Florida Bar of the competency and experience of attorneys in the areas of law approved for certification by The Florida Bar. There are fewer than 225 board-certified business litigation attorneys in the State of Florida, and only 12 board-certified business litigation lawyers in Jacksonville. Certified lawyers in business litigation specialize in helping people resolve disputes arising from business relationships. This field includes litigation in state and federal courts, and before administrative agencies, mediators and arbitrators.  Mr. Gard has also received the highest rating (“AV”) awarded by the Martindale-Hubbell directory of lawyers.

Education

• Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, J.D., 1976
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, B.A. with honors in Political Science, 1972

Professional Recognition

• Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Business Litigation Law
• AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory

Professional Affiliations

• Admitted, The Florida Bar, 2006
• Admitted, The Georgia Bar, 1979
• Admitted, The Missouri Bar, 1976
• Admitted, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
• Admitted, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
• Admitted, 11th and 4th Circuits, U.S. Courts of Appeals
• Jacksonville Beaches Bar Association
• Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association
• Director and Vice-President, Friends of the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall