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JOSE MANOLO V. GARCIAFOUNDING & SENIOR MANAGING PARTNER A seasoned litigation lawyer with an impressive breadth of expertise, Jose Manolo “Joey” V. Garcia is the driving force behind GERA Law. With a legal career spanning decades, Joey has built a reputation for excellence in criminal, civil, family, administrative, commercial, and labor law, as well as intellectual property and entertainment law. His extensive practice also includes corporate mergers and acquisitions, where he provides strategic counsel to the firm’s corporate clientele.
Before establishing GERA Law, Joey spent nearly ten years in corporate law, serving as Chief Legal Counsel for a prominent domestic corporation and its affiliates. In this role, he led a team of six in-house lawyers and managed external counsels, overseeing the legal affairs of 50 branches and over 2,000 employees nationwide, including operations in Visayas and Mindanao. His journey in litigation began in two renowned Makati and Ortigas-based law firms, where he sharpened his advocacy and courtroom skills before transitioning to corporate law. Today, he continues to excel in land titles and property law, estate and succession, immigration, arbitration, tax law, and special projects—offering clients a well-rounded legal perspective. Beyond his professional commitments, Joey has demonstrated an indefatigable dedication to pro bono service and human rights advocacy. Since 2009, he has been a volunteer lawyer for International Justice Mission (IJM), tirelessly prosecuting cases involving child abuse, child trafficking, and child labor. His commitment to justice extends beyond corporate boardrooms and courtrooms, making a tangible impact on the lives of vulnerable individuals. With his deep legal acumen, leadership, and resolute commitment to justice, Joey Garcia stands at the helm of GERA Law, ensuring that every client receives exceptional, strategic, and compassionate legal representation. |
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NELISA C. GUEVARA-GARCIASENIOR PARTNERLisa graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with a Bachelor of Science Major in Microbiology. She moved on to earn her Juris Doctor Degree in the Faculty of Civil law of the same university.
Lisa is currently the Director of National Prosecution Development for International Justice Mission Philippines (ijm.org.ph). In this role, Lisa is responsible for delivering the IJM Philippines’ Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) Program’s Prosecution Outcomes. In the performance of these functions, she must ensure the five domains of sustainability (Infrastructure, Staffing, Financial Sustainability, Performance, Policies) in the prosecution pillar are functional by the end of the program while working alongside the national government. Lisa is also tasked to ensure alignment between IJM Philippines’ national program and regional-local programs in coordination with the directors of the program offices. Prior to this role, she served as the Executive Head of Prosecution Development in the Manila Field Office. She led a team of lawyers who prosecute cases of OSEC alongside public prosecutors through collaborative casework. Together they develop innovative prosecution strategies by testing legal principles and existing case law while building the capacity of government partners toward system reform. Throughout her time with IJM, Lisa has actively prosecuted both child sexual abuse and commercial sexual exploitation cases in her own capacity as private prosecutor, resulting in 52 case convictions of 45 perpetrators within 7 years as Special Counsel for Intervention and Senior Special Counsel (Anti-Human Trafficking Specialist) for the Manila Legal Interventions Department. 4 of these case convictions were further affirmed in the Supreme Court adding to the growing jurisprudence on Human Trafficking in the Philippines. During her time in the field office, the Manila Prosecution Development Team has achieved 120 perpetrator convictions, 52 of which are OSEC convictions under her leadership from 2015 to 2021. Lisa also serves as a resource person and subject matter expert for various trainings, conferences and other speaking engagements both locally and internationally. In 2020, Lisa led her team in the conceptualization and publication of the Compendium of Legal Resources for the Prosecution of Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) in the Philippine. It is the first of its kind in the realm of OSEC Prosecution in the Philippines. The said publication was officially endorsed by Undersecretary Atty. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Inter-Agency Council Task Force (IACAT) for the use of government prosecutors in the prosecution of this crime. Lisa has been with IJM for close to two decades and in the practice of law for more than 20 years. Prior to IJM, Lisa worked as a legal officer for the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines. |
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ORLIE A. ELAURIASENIOR PARTNERWith years of experience in litigation, he has built a stellar reputation as a sharp, strategic, and results-driven advocate. A full-service litigator with depth of legal expertise, Orlie has successfully handled complex cases across various fields, including civil, criminal, labor, and administrative law. His practice extends to appellate litigation and corporate housekeeping, advising retainer clients on critical legal matters ensuring that clients receive the highest level of representation, no matter the legal challenge.
Before joining GERA LAW FIRM, Orlie honed his legal acumen in the corporate world, serving as in-house counsel for several corporations. This experience provided him with a deep understanding of business law, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance, making him a well-rounded legal professional capable of navigating both litigation and corporate legal matters. At GERA LAW FIRM, Orlie represents clients in key judicial and quasi-judicial bodies, including the Ombudsman and Sandiganbayan. His presence in these high-stakes arenas speaks volumes about his credibility, competence, and commitment to upholding justice. Orlie is more than just a lawyer, he is a trusted ally in the pursuit of fairness and truth. |
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CHRIS PAOLO R. RUANTOSENIOR PARTNERWith commanding presence, Chris is a full-service litigator with breadth of expertise and steadfast dedication. As a Senior Partner at GERA Law Firm, he brings strategic insight, sharp legal acumen, and an unyielding commitment to justice.
Chris has built a formidable career advocating for clients in commercial, family, civil and criminal litigation, including cases that reach appellate jurisdictions. He represents individuals, corporations, and multinational companies before various courts and quasi-judicial bodies, ensuring that their rights and interests are protected with the highest level of professionalism. His legal mastery spans corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, pharmaceutical law, energy law with a focus on renewable energy, labor law, and general litigation. Beyond litigation, Chris plays a pivotal role in high-stakes corporate negotiations, complex banking disputes, intra-corporate conflicts, and derivative suits. His extensive experience in anti-money laundering cases and financial crimes has made him a sought-after legal mind. His reputation as a trusted legal strategist extends beyond his role at the firm. He serves as general counsel for multiple pharmaceutical companies, where his expertise helps shape corporate compliance, regulatory adherence, and risk management strategies. His counsel is not just legal, it is visionary, guiding businesses through complex legal landscapes with confidence and foresight. The firm’s clients value his ability to turn legal challenges into strategic victories. Whether in the courtroom or the boardroom, his leadership, intellect, and dedication continue to set new standards of legal excellence. |
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TRANQUILINO M. SARMIENTOJUNIOR PARTNERA seasoned legal practitioner with an exceptional command of multiple practice areas, Tranquilino “Tranky” has built a reputation as a well-rounded attorney. His extensive expertise spans corporate, property, family, and tax law, making him a vital asset to GERA Law Firm and an invaluable advocate for his clients.
Tranky is a full-service litigator with an impressive track record in civil, criminal, and administrative litigation, handling cases across all court levels, including appellate jurisdictions, and representing clients before various quasi-judicial bodies such as the NLRC, MTRCB, and OMB. His strategic approach to litigation and firm commitment to justice have earned him the trust of both individuals and businesses seeking true legal representation. Beyond litigation, Tranky is a trusted corporate counsel and legal strategist. His extensive experience in the legal departments of both domestic and multinational corporations has sharpened his skills in contract review, human resource and labor relations management, and corporate regulatory compliance. He leads the firm’s corporate housekeeping division, ensuring that business clients operate within the bounds of local and national laws while mitigating legal risks. His keen insight into intricate corporate matters is further reinforced by his role as a board member for several corporate clients. Tranky has also a finely-honed proficiency in property law and estate planning. He handles land registration, real estate disputes, estate settlement, both judicial and extrajudicial, and succession planning, providing clients with strategic solutions to protect and preserve their assets for generations to come. In the field of taxation, Tranky is the firm’s lead counsel, representing clients in tax disputes before the BIR, CTA, and even the Supreme Court. His proficiency in navigating complex tax regulations has saved businesses and individuals from unnecessary liabilities, ensuring compliance while optimizing financial structures. His ability to balance litigation, corporate advisory, and regulatory compliance makes him a lawyer of high caliber, inspiring confidence in every client he serves. |
SENIOR ASSOCIATES & ASSOCIATES
RUZ LAWRENCE A. SANTOSSENIOR ASSOCIATE
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MATT JAYSON S. VILLANUEVASENIOR ASSOCIATE
Director - IBP BULACAN Areas of practice:
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SHARINA AMOR I. TIPAYSENIOR ASSOCIATE
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JASON A. LEONESSENIOR ASSOCIATE
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GEORGE P. IZONASSOCIATE
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"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Martin Luther King Jr.