James P. Gerard is a Martindale and Hubbell "AV" rated partner in the Real Estate section of the firm. Mr. Gerard concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate, commercial law (e.g., the areas of consumer protection, debtor/creditor relations, and secured lending), construction litigation, and municipal law. His real estate practice involves representing several lenders, landlords, homeowners associations, and developers. It includes foreclosures; undertaking and managing the legal aspects of the purchase, sale exchange, financing, and construction of commercial and industrial facilities and urban revitalization projects; assisting developers obtain financing and necessary federal state, and local environmental, zoning and other regulatory permits and approvals; and assisting in all aspects of residential property sales. Mr. Gerard has also served as city attorney for Garden City, Georgia, since 1991, during which time he has also served as a consultant for a number of other municipalities in Southeast Georgia.​