John W. Ray, Jr.
JOHN W. RAY, JR. is a partner in the health care group. Prior to forming the firm in 1994, Mr. Ray practiced in the health law section of Long, Aldridge & Norman (n/k/a McKenna Long & Aldridge), a national firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Ray represents health care clients before various state and federal administrative agencies. He assists our clients in many aspects of their operations, including certificate of need, licensure, reimbursement and medical staff issues. He also assists clients in facility development, fraud and abuse and self-referral compliance and managed care contracting.
Admitted to bar, 1990, Georgia. Education: University of Georgia (B.B.A., 1987; J.D., cum laude, 1990). Executive Chairman, Moot Court Board, 1989-1990; Order of Barristers and Joseph Henry Lumpkin Inns of Court. Speaker, Georgia Academy of Healthcare Attorneys 1999 Healthcare Law Update, “Medical Staff Issues,” October 1999. Speaker, Southeast Finance Seminar, “Medicaid Waiver Update,” May 1998. Author: “Stark II and the Need for Regulatory Sensibility,” Cancer Management, March-April 1996; “Certificate of Need Regulation in Georgia,” Georgia Health Law Developments, May 1995; Co-Author: “Certificate of Need and Other Regulatory Issues Regarding Health Care Facilities and Services in Georgia: A Reconsideration Assessing the Impact of Recent Certificate of Need Legislation on Physicians,” Health Care Law From the Perspective of Physicians and Their Counselors, State Bar of Georgia, June 1991; Board of Directors: Ridgeview Institute, Inc., National Mental Health Association of Georgia (1995-2000, President-Elect, Treasurer); and Georgia Partnership for Caring Foundation (1995-1999).
MEMBER: State Bar of Georgia; American Health Lawyers Association; Georgia Academy of Healthcare Attorneys
PRACTICE AREA: Health Care Law
EMAIL: jray@rayandsherman.com
James M. Sherman
JAMES M. SHERMAN is a partner and the head of the litigation group. Prior to joining the firm in 1998, Mr. Sherman was a partner in the commercial litigation section of Cashin, Morton and Mullins in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Sherman has extensive trial and appellate experience and represents clients before various State and Federal courts.
Mr. Sherman’s commercial litigation practice centers around business disputes including commercial contract disputes, employment contract disputes, unfair competition (including disputes involving restrictive covenants and misappropriation of trade secrets), and real property disputes. In addition, Mr. Sherman is involved in various health care litigation matters including the representation of hospitals and other health care providers in certificate of need proceedings and medical staff proceedings.
Admitted to bar, 1990, Georgia. Education: University of Georgia (B.B.A., 1984; J.D., magna cum laude, 1990), Order of the Coif. Member, Editorial Board, Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law 1988-1990.
MEMBER: State Bar of Georgia; Atlanta Bar Association
PRACTICE AREA: Commercial Litigation, Health Care Litigation
EMAIL: jsherman@rayandsherman.com
Charles L. Gregory.
CHARLES L. GREGORY is a partner in the health care group and the litigation group. Prior to joining Ray & Sherman, Mr. Gregory was a partner at Arnall Golden Gregory LLP for 28 years where he was a member of the litigation and healthcare practice teams and also served a three year term on the management committee. He has extensive trial and appellate experience before administrative agencies and in state and federal courts. He has handled many certificate of need healthcare appeals and regularly counsels clients on such matters. Mr. Gregory also has extensive experience in business litigation, including shareholder dispute resolution, contract disputes, employment agreements, restrictive covenants, trade secrets and employment discrimination issues. His legal experience also includes securities’ arbitration matters. Mr. Gregory has lectured on many topics, including healthcare, employment law, and restrictive covenants, and since 2004 has been selected annually as a Georgia Super Lawyer. Among other community and committee activities, Mr. Gregory is a past President of the Atlanta Legal Aid Society and a past President of the Cherokee Town and Country Club. He has also served two three year terms as a member of the session of Northwest Presbyterian Church.
Admitted to bar, 1975, Georgia; Education: Washington and Lee University, B.A., (1972); Emory Law School, (J.D., 1975).
MEMBER: State Bar of Georgia; Atlanta Bar Association; Georgia Academy of Healthcare Attorneys
PRACTICE AREA: Health Care Law and Business Litigation
EMAIL: cgregory@rayandsherman.com
Alex J. Simmons, Jr.
ALEX J. SIMMONS, JR. is a partner and oversees the firm’s technology and internet practice. Mr. Simmons joined the firm in 2008. Prior to joining Ray & Sherman, LLC, Mr. Simmons was a partner with the law firm Schreeder, Wheeler & Flint, LLP in Atlanta, Georgia. With more than twenty years of professional legal experience, Mr. Simmons handles not only technology and internet issues, but also maintains a diverse litigation practice that includes products liability and intellectual property matters, as well as employment issues and business torts.
Admitted to bar, 1986, Georgia; 1989, Texas. Education: University of Alabama, B.A., (Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude, 1983); Duke University, (J.D., 1986).
MEMBER: State Bar of Georgia; Atlanta Bar Association
PRACTICE AREA: Technology and Internet; Commercial Litigation; Products Liability Litigation
EMAIL: asimmons@rayandsherman.com
Margaret G. Geer
MARGARET G. GEER is an associate in the litigation group. Admitted to bar, 2002, Georgia. Education: University of Georgia (B.A., 1993); Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law (J.D., 2002).
MEMBER: State Bar of Georgia; Atlanta Bar Association
PRACTICE AREA: Commercial Law, Litigation
EMAIL: mgeer@rayandsherman.com
Roxana F. Dehnad
ROXANA F. DEHNAD is an associate in the health care group. Admitted to bar, 2002, Georgia. Education: University of Georgia (B.A., 1996); Mercer University School of Law (J.D., 2002).
MEMBER: State Bar of Georgia; Atlanta Bar Association
PRACTICE AREA: Heath Care Law, Litigation, Technology and Internet
EMAIL: rdehnad@rayandsherman.com
Kara A. Davis
KARA A. DAVIS is an associate in the litigation group. Admitted to bar, 1993, Virginia; 1995, Georgia. Education: Randolph-Macon Woman’s College (B.A., 1986); Washington & Lee University (J.D., 1993).
MEMBER: State Bar of Georgia; Virginia State Bar
PRACTICE AREA: Commercial Law, Litigation
EMAIL: kdavis@rayandsherman.com
Preeti A. Garde
PREETI A. GARDE is an associate in the health care group. Admitted to bar, 2002, Connecticut; 2009, Georgia. Education: Boston College (B.A., cum laude, 1998); University of Connecticut School of Law (J.D., 2002).
MEMBER: State Bar of Georgia; American Health Lawyers Association
PRACTICE AREA: Health Care Law
EMAIL: pgarde@rayandsherman.com
