John Gerak routinely advises employers on all aspects of the employment relationship. John has developed a reputation as a true business partner, assisting employers to avoid litigation through highly focused custom training, human resource policy and process improvement and legal compliance. In the event litigation cannot be avoided, John has extensive experience litigating single-plaintiff employment cases as well as class action discrimination and wage and hour cases.
Experience
John has handled a broad range of litigation matters for a diverse group of clients, including hospitals, restaurants, manufacturers, nursing homes, industrial distributors, financial institutions and transportation and logistics companies. John has defended these and other employers on claims arising under various labor and employment laws before administrative bodies and in federal and state courts throughout the country.
Ohio
Education and Honors
- “Rising Star” - Ohio Super Lawyers (2010, 2011)
Professional Activities
- Employment Law American Inn of Court
- Federal Bar Association
- NFL Alumni Association
- APG Alumni Board for the Penn State University Labor Studies and Employment Relations Department
- Penn State Graduate Studies/Mentor
- Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Lorain County Chamber of Commerce
- Lecturer/Adjunct Professor for the Penn State University Labor Studies and Employment Relations Department
- Northeast Ohio Chapter of ACC - "The Social Media Revolution: Employee Privacy vs. Employee Rights" - Cleveland - November 30, 2011
- Ogletree Deakins Seminar - "How to Avoid Ethical Traps for Employment Lawyers" - Cleveland - November 17, 2011
- Toledo Human Resource Association - "The Social Media Revolution: Employee Privacy vs. Employee Rights" - Toledo - November 3, 2011
- Lorain County Take Five Breakfast Series - "Workplace Drama of a Different Kind" - Elyria - September 20, 2011
- Western Reserve SHRM Annual Meeting - "Hostile Work Environment Harassment" - Girard - September 13, 2011
- Ogletree Deakins Seminar - "Workplace Accommodations" - Cleveland - August 18, 2011
- Lorain County Take Five Breakfast Series - "How to Develop & Retain Loyal Customers" - Elyria - May 17, 2011
- Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar - "Medical Information in the Workplace" - Chicago - May 12, 2011
- Lorain County Take Five Breakfast Series - "Workplace Bullying" - Elyria - February 15, 2011
- Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce - "Social Media & the HR Manager" - Boardman - February 14, 2011
- Lorain County Take Five Breakfast Series - "Workplace Bullying" - Elyria - January 15, 2011
- Federal Bar Association - "Confidentiality of Medical Records in the Workplace" - Cleveland - December 6, 2010
- Ogletree Deakins Seminar - "Five Simple Rules for Minimizing the Risk of Employment Litigation" - Cleveland - November 18, 2010
- Lorain County Take Five Breakfast Series - "Managing Discipline & Discharge" - Elyria - November 9, 2010
- Midwest Labor Conference - "Common Wage & Hour Pitfalls" - Columbus - October 14, 2010
In The News
- September 27, 2010 - Crain's Cleveland Business - "Discrimination Claims Filed Under ADA Likely To Rise"
- April 2012 - ACC Docket - "Marginalization Of The Use Of Background Checks For Employment Purposes"
- December 7, 2009 - Crain's Cleveland Business - "Inattention to Payroll Opens Firms to Claims of Fair Labor Act Violation"