EDUCATION

University of Virginia School of Law, Juris Doctor

George Washington University, Graduate School of Political Management, Master of Arts

University of Michigan, Bachelor of Arts

ADMISSIONS

District of Columbia

Pennsylvania

Arizona

United States District Court for the District of Columbia

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

RECOGNITION

Chambers USA

Best Lawyers in America

EDWARD D. GEHRES, III

Managing Partner

Email: edg@inveniolaw.com

Phone: (202) 794-7035

Ed Gehres leverages over 25 years of experience as an advocate, trial attorney, and organizational leader with a distinct focus on the litigation finance landscape. Ed embarked on his career as a political organizer and strategist, championing civil liberties and education causes. His journey led him to trial practice and litigation strategy, motivated by a profound desire to drive change on multiple fronts – within the courts, legislative arenas, and public affairs strategies.

Over the past two decades, Ed has cultivated a national litigation and dispute resolution practice, specializing in complex civil cases. He has navigated the intricate realm of litigation finance, representing various stakeholders, including law firms seeking funding for their cases or portfolios, claimants pursuing traditional third-party financing, lenders requiring assistance with case underwriting and servicing, and parties engaged in dispute resolutions.

Ed's career has consistently positioned him as a pioneering leader and innovator in the legal services landscape. He has served as a partner and practice group leader at an esteemed American Lawyer 100 firm, as well as led a practice group at a nationally-recognized boutique firm, earning accolades such as Law Firm of the Year in its specialty by US News & World Report. Ed has also contributed his expertise as General Counsel to organizations, from their inception through diversification and later-stage equity raises. Notably, he played a pivotal role in shaping the legal department at a Miami-based investment platform, guiding it from its infancy to overseeing over 50 portfolio companies across a dozen countries. Ed's co-founding of Invenio LLP aligns with the core values that have shaped his career – a judicious approach, compassion for those in need, and a pragmatic orientation toward delivering successful solutions.

Beyond his legal pursuits, Ed has dedicated his time, energy, and advocacy to issues and organizations that amplify the voices of those in need in law and policy. He co-founded the Maryland Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition, facilitated the attainment of 501(c)(3) status for the Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County, and held positions on the Board of Directors of the ARC of Montgomery County. Furthermore, Ed has been a fervent advocate for economic development, food sovereignty, and community progress in Native American communities throughout the United States.

Ed was born and raised in the midwest with strong ties to Detroit.  Today he lives just outside Washington, DC with his family and Australian labradoodle.  Ed is an accomplished rower and trail runner and has served as Deacon and Elder at his local Presbyterian Church.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

  • Litigated an authority and sex abuse case against a Roman Catholic priest and the Diocese of Pittsburgh in the tragic death of a University of Pittsburgh football player.  

  • Science counsel in numerous mass tort and product liability cases involving complex medical and scientific experts for trial.

  • Trial counsel in several high-profile catastrophic tort cases involving novel design defect and brain injury theories.

  • Led successful group of objectors to unfair and deceptive practices class action settlement, ultimately resulting in an improved settlement.  

  • Counsel in complex case settlements to multi-party litigation, including design of framework for negotiation, work with Special Masters, and establishing evidentiary thresholds for settlement categories.  

  • Represented a special education student in a disability rights case against the D.C. Public Schools.

  • Defended nationally-renowned community health organization against “not-in-my-backyard” neighborhood challenges to zoning for new clinics serving poor and disadvantaged families.

  • Represented a California Native American tribal business and an Alaska Native Corporation in successful disputes and settlements against former business partners.