Gerald M. Newman

Gerry, a retired attorney at SFBBG, was engaged in a broad based general transactional practice, with a focus on representing independent manufacturers’ representatives in all phases of their businesses. 

Gerry has been representing independent sales representatives for over 35 years, and also represents manufacturers who contract with independent sales representatives. Gerry’s expertise in the field of independent sales representatives includes commission collection issues, negotiation, preparation, and review of sales representative agreements, mergers, acquisitions, buy outs, and succession planning. Spearheaded by Gerry’s efforts, the Firm has collected millions of dollars in commissions for sales representatives, and serves as general counsel for the Electronics Representatives Association and trade associations serving sales representatives in the plumbing, marine, incentive products, housewares, electrical, healthcare, home and gift industries, and other product and service areas. He has provided services as an expert witness in numerous contested rep matters.

His practice areas also include leveraged buy outs, business continuation plans, estate planning, probate, trust administration, real estate, trade association law, trademarks and general corporate matters.  He is admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Gerry has written many articles published in industry trade journals, and has conducted numerous seminars for trade and professional associations on manufacturer rep relations, succession planning, principal communications, contracts, estate planning and patent, trademark and copyright issues.

• J.D., Northwestern University School of Law, Chicago
• B.S.M.E., University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

• Illinois State Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association
• Decalogue Society

• Illinois Bar Association
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office