Mr. Girard is a shareholder and founding member of the Grand Rapids law firm of Nantz, Litowich, Smith, Girard & Hamilton. Mr. Girard's practice involves the full range of labor and employment law issues, but he spends most of his time engaged in collective bargaining and litigation before various state and federal labor and employment law agencies. His clients are primarily public sector agencies, and include cities, counties, townships, road commissions, community mental health agencies, and county medical facilities. Mr. Girard is a member of the Labor and Employment Law sections of the American Bar Association, the Michigan State Bar Association and the Grand Rapids Bar Association.

Mr. Girard graduated summa cum laude from Northern Michigan University and holds a law degree from Wayne State University Law School. His commission will expire on December 21, 2010.