Friedman & Gilbert Welcome Civil Rights Champion, Alphonse Gerhardstein To Newly Merged Firm, Announcing Friedman, Gilbert + Gerhardstein
The newly configured firm combines decades of high-stakes litigation and civil rights victories
CINCINNATI, Ohio (January 14, 2021) – The well-known civil rights and criminal defense law firm of Friedman & Gilbert has come together with Gerhardstein and Branch Co., LPA, to create Friedman, Gilbert + Gerhardstein.
Alphonse Gerhardstein is a highly respected and prolific civil rights attorney with nearly 45 years of experience litigating for causes in all of his civil rights practice areas, including police abuse, wrongful conviction, prisoner rights, gay rights, and more. Based in Cincinnati, Gerhardstein joins the rest of the Friedman & Gilbert team following the election of his former partner, Jennifer Branch, who will join the bench as a judge for the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas General Division in February 2021.
Gerhardstein and Friedman & Gilbert have long been colleagues in the fight for justice, and have worked as allies for many years to advance civil rights in Ohio. Gerhardstein and co-founding partner Terry Gilbert worked together as members of the team who litigated a Cleveland case that resulted in a $3 million settlement for two people shot and killed by Cleveland police. Both firms are also highly involved in the work of the National Police Accountability Project. Gerhardstein and Gilbert serve on NPAP’s Advisory Board while partners Jacqueline Greene and Sarah Gelsomino head its CLE committee.
“Both firms have long histories of representing people on the margins of power. In response to police abuse and racism, lawsuits are a way to push back and hold these systems accountable,” Gerhardstein said. “Our combined practice will be powerfully positioned to do that work and will ensure continued access to top-notch representation for people across Ohio and beyond in the fight for civil rights.”
“With Al Gerhardstein and Jacqueline Greene leading the Cincinnati office, our firm’s continued growth strengthens our ability to demand truth, accountability, and change on an even broader scale,” Gilbert said. “Al’s commitment to structural reform is rooted in our dedication to serving as advocates for our clients and for their communities, and to leaving an impact beyond the outcome of a particular case or lawsuit.”
Gerhardstein’s addition rounds out FG+G’s five-partner team, including Terry Gilbert, Sarah Gelsomino, Jacqueline Greene, and Marcus Sidoti, along with founding partner, now of counsel, Gordon Friedman. Friedman, Gilbert + Gerhardstein fight for clients’ fundamental rights both in and outside of court, across Ohio, and around the country. More information about Al Gerhardstein can be found here.