Yonatan Gerber is the founder of The Gerber Law Firm. He focuses his practice in the areas of transactional and corporate law, debt collection and defense, business dispute resolution and real estate. Yoni serves as general counsel for a number of small and mid sized business, providing representation for business transactions, as well as day to day guidance on legal and operational issues.
Yoni speaks, reads and writes fluent Spanish and has handled numerous transactions with Latin and South American clients. Yoni has conducted hundreds of mediations and enjoys conducting and participating in dispute resolution.
Yoni is married to Tracey (a fantastic lawyer in her own right) and together they have two daughters. Tracey and the girls have brought a unique perspective to the law firm by providing numerous opportunities for Yoni to practice and hone his dispute resolution skills in an ever changing and tumultuous environment.
Mr. Gerber received his B.S. in corporate communication in 2002 from the University of Texas. He received his J.D. in 2006 from the University of Houston Law Center.
Areas of Practice
Representative Matters
Creditors Rights
- Represented National Debt Purchaser with entire Texas collection portfolio from pre-suit demand letters to post-judgment collection efforts. Successfully collected over 15 million dollars. In furtherance thereof
- Filed, managed and oversaw over 5,000 petitions for collection of promissory notes, credit card balances and loan defaults throughout the state of Texas between 2017-2020; and
- Filed and successfully completed over 2,500 bank garnishments in 2017-2020 throughout the State of Texas; and
- Revived hundreds of judgments via writ of scire facia throughout the state of Texas; and
- Defended against numerous bills of review, motions to dissolve garnishments and violations of FDCPA
- Representation of local check cashing stores for collection of rejected instruments
- Representation of several real estate and management companies in collection efforts against defaulting tenants
- Representation of large steel manufacturer in collection efforts for past due accounts receivables
- Representation of well-known national portable storage and mobile office container leasing company in securing the return of its collateral and collection of past due accounts
- Representation of high net-worth individual against post-judgment collection efforts by creditor
- Representation holder of promissory notes for commercial debt; obtained favorable outcome for client
Real Estate
- Representation of a partnership in connection with multi-million dollar sale of commercial office building in Houston
- Representation of a client in acquisition of real property for a purchase price in excess of $2,000,000
- Representation of a commercial office building in connection with the preparation of a landlord’s form commercial lease for general use
- Representation of numerous tenant(s) in the negotiation of commercial leases with local and national landlords
- Representation of areal estate investor group in the purchase of commercial property; partnership agreements and due diligence review and guidance through closing
- Representation of landlord in tenant dispute; favorable outcome for landlord eviction of tenant and awarding of damages
- Representation of fine dining restaurant against landlord for alleged lease violations and rental dispute
- Representation of a home buyer against seller for numerous claims including failure to disclose and deceptive trade practices
- Representation of home buyer against builder/seller for breach of contract; enforcement of specific performance and various construction issues
Litigation
- Obtained temporary restraining order and temporary injunction in favor of client, prohibiting controlling shareholder from selling or alienating company equipment and preventing controlling shareholder from commingling or dissipating company assets in dispute between business partners
- Obtained favorable verdict for local contractor against an HOA for alleged breach of contract claims
- Obtained favorable verdict for contractor against a subcontractor for alleged breach of contract claims
- Obtained favorable outcome for landlord against tenant for allegations of fraud, breach of contract and violations of the Texas Property Code
- Representation of international wine distributor seeking to collect outstanding amounts owed by vendors; lawsuit filed and favorable settlement prior to trial
- Secured favorable outcome for real estate investors against principal partner in alleged fraud case; secured above-market return on initial investment and indemnification from remaining partners
Construction
- Provided pre-litigation advice, prepared notices, and filed mechanics liens on construction project on behalf of various sub-contractors; obtained full payment of outstanding and past due invoices without the necessity of litigation
- Represented numerous construction trades in contractual issues; construction disputes, contractor problems and vendor liabilities
Business Transactions
- Representation of seller in asset sale of well-known agricultural feed company
- Representation of sale of concrete company; assisted in asset sale to purchaser;prepared asset purchase agreement and assisted with due diligence period to ensure smooth closing
- Representation of a majority shareholder in stock purchase/redemption of minority shareholder’s interest
- Representation of children’s clothing company; assisted in setting up entity, drafting operating agreement and corporate book, acquiring EIN and assisting with initiating operations
- Representation of accounting practice; assisted in selling of all assets and transferring of client book; drafted transactional documents and assisted transaction through closing
- Representation real estate investors in large multi-family investment
- Acting as outside general counsel to Houston-based steel supplier and erector
- Acting as outside general counsel to well-known plumbing company
- Representing a dental practice in the purchase of other practices
- Representation of dental practice for daily xxx
General Corporate
- Representation of Property Management Company in numerous daily legal matters including but not limited to; corporate governance, contract negotiation and collection efforts against defaulting tenants
- Representation of national and international livestock feed company; assist with daily operations; contract negotiations and review
- Representation of Mexican steel manufacturer in daily legal matters including contract negotiation, corporate governance, and daily operational issues
- Representation of individuals in the creation of 501c3 non-profit church servicing the Houston community
- Representation of numerous clients in the formation of business entities including limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and corporations
Credentials
2006 Admitted to the Texas Bar
2006 Doctor of Jurisprudence at University of Houston Law Center
2002 Bachelor of Science, Corporate Communication at University of Texas
Affiliations
Yonatan Z. Gerber was selected a Fellow to the Texas Bar Foundation. The Texas Bar Foundation is the largest charitably funded bar foundation in the country. Founded in 1965 by lawyers determined to assist the public and improve the profession of law, the Texas Bar Foundation has maintained its mission of using the financial contributions of its membership to build a strong justice system for all Texans.
Fellows of the Foundation are selected for their outstanding professional achievements and their commitment to the improvement of the justice system throughout the state of Texas.