JRG Attorneys at Law

Jeffery R. Gilles is a principal and the founding partner of JRG Attorneys at Law.

Jeff specializes in the areas of agriculture, land use, and real estate. His in-depth legal and practical knowledge of agricultural, land use, and real estate matters, both in California and abroad, has led to his appointment as an advisor to companies assessing their political risks and business opportunities, a project/political advocate in land use matters, and an arbitrator or mediator in these legal areas.

Jeff started his legal career in 1979 as corporate counsel for Bruce Church, Incorporated, and affiliated companies, a grower, shipper, and processor of fresh vegetables. In 1985, Jeff founded his own law firm, which specialized in agricultural and real estate matters, including liability issues related thereto. Jeff leads JRG with his experience and sets the legacy for the other attorneys at the firm.

Jeff graduated from the University of Santa Clara in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, where he honored in history. Afterward, he graduated from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, in 1979, and received his Juris Doctor Degree that year. Jeff also received a Certificate of International Jurisprudence in Salzburg, Austria, during his tenure at McGeorge School of Law, and in 1981, attended the Monterey Institute of International Studies, receiving a language certificate in Spanish for training for service abroad.

Jeff was co-chair of the Agricultural Committee under the Business law section of the State Bar of California and remains active with various agricultural associations such as the Grower-Shipper Vegetable Association, Western Growers Association, Monterey Wine Country Associates, and Monterey and San Benito Farm Bureaus. He is also a member of the Monterey County Bar Association.

Publications & Websites

• “Slotting Fees: Friend or Foe?” Coastal Grower Magazine, Fall, 1999
• “Shifting the Risk of Loss of Product in Cold Storage Warehouses” Coastal Grower Magazine, Fall 2001
• “Preventative Measures to Protect Against Liability Relating to Food-Borne Illness” Coastal Grower Magazine, Spring 2004
• “Legal Management of a Food Safety Crisis” Coastal Grower Magazine, Summer 2004
• “Agricultural Water Discharge: Over-Regulation?” Coastal Grower Magazine, Summer 2005

Leadership

• Board Member Monterey County Business PAC Treasurer of Independent Expenditure Committee – Get California Working Again
• Appointed to Board of Governors for Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, 2000
• Past President of Santa Clara University, Monterey Alumni Chapter
• Past Member of Public Advisory Committee of Asilomar Park
• Associate Member of Grower Shipper Association
• Associate Member of Monterey Wine Country Associates
• Member Emeritus of the Board of Directors of Knights of the Vine
• Member of the Chaine des Rotisseurs
• Past President of Friends of the California Repertory Theatre Guild
• Past Member of Board of Directors, Friends of the Monterey Institute of International Studies
• President of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, National Steinbeck Center
• Markham Ranch HOA
• Corral de Tierra Country Club – Board Member
• San Benito County Cattlemen’s Association
• San Benito County Farm Bureau
• San Benito County Business Council