Friedman, Gilbert + Gerhardstein is a civil rights and criminal defense firm, dedicated to the protection of human rights and fighting for justice for over 45 years.We represent clients in our criminal practice in Ohio and federal criminal cases. Our civil rights practice focuses on police and jail/prison misconduct, including excessive force, false arrest, malicious prosecution, wrongful death, innocence claims and wrongful imprisonment, and other government misconduct.

Assisted in developing a best practices framework to guide USAID field work, involving justice sector interventions designed to prevent atrocities; created legal training materials for a paralegal advocacy program addressing LGBT rights in Nigeria, addressing substantive areas of law and legal practice strategies; analyzed evidence of human rights abuse and assessed application of humanitarian law in the Syrian conflict; analyzed judicial sector and legal practice reform in MENA region countries.

Researched and wrote a report on secrecy jurisdictions and legal structures that facilitate abusive tax avoidance, including case studies.

Worked as part of a defense team in the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, representing a defendant charged with war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and other serious violations of international law.

Researched and drafted articles, memoranda, book chapters, and more on developments in public international law and human rights.

Worked as part of a prosecution team in the Special Court for Sierra Leone in the case against former Liberian president Charles Taylor, who was charged with war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious violations of international law,

Supervised student research for memoranda requested by prosecution and defense teams in international courts.

Drafted report calling for modernization of occupational disease compensation laws; advocated for change in gold mining sector practices to prevent transmission of tuberculosis and promote just compensation; identified stakeholders and facilitated policy reform collaboration, including government, industry, unions, and civil society.

Drafted reports on human rights, HIV, healthcare access, and detention issues for refugees and asylum seekers.