Government

With offices in Brunswick and St. Marys, attorneys in the Governmental Practice Group of Gilbert, Harrell, Sumerford & Martin, P.C. assist governmental entities throughout Georgia in a wide variety of legal and government affairs matters, including lawsuit liability, qui tam actions, and governmental relations matters. 

At Gilbert Harrell, we provide counsel to many of the area's administrative bodies, including the local hospital authority, development authority, housing authority, and airport commission. Our services include preparation of contracts and interpretation of statutory guidelines.  We provide advice on Georgia's Open Records Act, which gives citizens access to many types of government documents and records (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70), and have dealt with numerous projects involving tax credits and mixed income housing.  We also regularly serve as counsel to issuers of tax exempt bonds.

Government Liability

Working with the firm's Litigation Practice Group, our attorneys represent municipal and county governments in an array of liability matters, including under the Federal Tort Claims Act, which authorizes claims against the federal government for losses or injuries caused by the negligence or wrongful acts of any government employee.  These often include defending personal injury actions, property damage, or other monetary losses.

Qui Tam

Our Governmental Practice Group attorneys have a wealth of experience handling qui tam actions under the Federal False Claims Act, including those involving health care or defense contract fraud.  In a qui tam action, an individual can serve as a whistleblower (also called a relator) and report fraud against the government without having to fear retribution from his or her employer.  We assist relators in filing the false claim action, as well as provide counsel to the governmental body that ultimately pursues the action on the relator's behalf. 

Governmental Affairs and Relations

In addition to assisting governments and administrative entities with their legal needs, we are involved in a range of local and state government affairs and relations.  Our attorneys have extensive lobbying and public relations experience, including assisting political campaigns and serving in political and administrative positions, and draw on their business law expertise to find solutions to legal problems for both governmental bodies and any private entity or business with which they are involved. 

Seek Experienced Legal Counsel

Government liability matters, qui tam actions, or government affairs and relations require the advice of attorneys with an in-depth understanding of the particular issues at play in these types of cases.  To find out how our qualified attorneys can assist with your governmental law matter, contact Gilbert, Harrell, Sumerford & Martin, P.C.