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Large Firm Experience

• McGuireWoods

In-House Experience

• Tyco International, (U.S.)

Education

• Emory University School of Law, J.D., 1974
• University of Virginia, B.S., 1970

Prior to joining Tyco International as Vice-President and Deputy General Counsel in New York, and then Vice-President and General Counsel of Tyco Fire & Security in Boca Raton, FL., Gardner was engaged in 25 years of private practice trial work in Atlanta, with significant leadership and management experience, including Managing Partner, Atlanta Office and Member, Board of Partners, McGuireWoods law firm; Member, Board of Directors, Bridgeway Software Inc, Houston, Texas; Member, Board of Advisors, University of Virginia, McIntire School of Commerce; Member and Chair, Development Committee, Emory University School of Law, Board of Advisors, Atlanta, Georgia.

As a senior legal executive at Tyco International and as the chief legal officer for the $12B Tyco Fire & Security division,  Gardner was integrally involved in the civil and criminal investigations of Tyco and its former top officers by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. He was responsible for managing the defense of 55 securities class actions filed against Tyco across the U.S. as well as managing the defense to thousands of unrelated lawsuits brought against Tyco around the world. Gardner had significant responsibility in dozens of global compliance investigations and the related management turnover. Following his tenure at Tyco, Gardner served as Special Counsel to the McCain 2008 Campaign.

Gardner joins FSB Legal Counsel as Managing Director, Litigation and Compliance practice groups. Widely acknowledged as an expert in alternative fees for legal disputes and for applying process technology to streamline both individual and class action litigation, Gardner has written and spoken frequently on these topics.  Working with the firm’s legacy trial lawyer talent, Gardner will expand the litigation group’s focus to include class action cases, complex business litigation and compliance investigations. 

While in private practice, Gardner was the recipient of the DuPont Law Department Achievement in Diversity Award and has been recognized for his significant accomplishments in promoting diversity in the legal profession by the Minority Corporate Counsel Association.