Jerry Gilmore has earned both a B.A. and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He has practiced law in Dallas for a number of years. He is a member of the Dallas, Texas, and American Bar Associations. He has served as President of the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers and was selected in 1971 as Outstanding Young Lawyer of the City of Dallas by that organization. In 2001, he received the Justinian Award, presented by Dallas Lawyers Auxiliary, for services benefiting the community of Dallas.

He has served four years as a member of the Dallas City Council. In 1973, he was elected to the Executive Board of the North Central Texas Council of Governments. He served that organization as its President in 1974-1975 and currently is General Counsel for NCTCOG. In addition, he served on the Board of Trustees of the Dallas County Community College District from 1976-1992. He served that organization in two separate terms as Chairman of the Board. He was a member of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Board from 1993-1995, and served one year as Vice-Chairman of that Board. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Methodist Hospitals of Dallas and serves as a Trustee of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

He has been and continues to be involved in a wide variety of civic activities including the Masonic Lodge and is a 33rd Scottish Rite Mason. He has been President of the Oak Cliff Lions Club and the Oak Cliff Rotary Club; member of the Executive Board of the Greater Dallas Community of Churches; Chairman of the Transportation Steering Committee of the National League of Cities; Board Member and Past President of Suicide Prevention of Dallas; Board member of the Oak Cliff YMCA; and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dallas County Mental Health, Mental Retardation. He is listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Government and Who's Who in the South and Southwest.