Gerard spent the years 1962 to 1980 as a full time academic. He taught all basic subjects except Real Property. He was the Foundation Professor and Dean of Law at the University of Papua and New Guinea 1966 - 1970. During the years 1970 - 1980 he was a Professor of Law at Monash University and was Dean of the Faculty of Law during 1977 - 1980. He was a Visiting Fellow at Trinity College, Oxford 1974 and 1978; Carnegie Fellow 1967 - 1968; Fullbright Fellow 1969 - 1970 and Visiting Professor, Boston College Law School 1969.

Gerard resigned as Dean at Monash University to return to full time practice at the Bar in July 1980.

Gerard is the author of a number of publications, namely;
* Bourke's Criminal Law, 3rd Edition and Butterworths Criminal Law Service (the 4th Edition of Bourke);
* 2nd Edition of Paul's Justices of the Peace which became Nash on Magistrates Courts which became Victorian Courts;
* The Victorian Justices Manual ;
* Civil Procedure : Cases and Text ;
* Co-author Homicide: The Law and the Proofs.