https://www.willismckenzie.com/home daily 1.0 2025-01-21 https://www.willismckenzie.com/firm-history daily 0.75 2025-01-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecebbb4171c8d3fd920732e/1597130217442-FPF5JV1TUJZ4TOSAK8IG/img8.jpg Firm History REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS Our firm provides representation to many individuals and businesses, both locally and regionally. Some representative business clients to whom we have provided service in general business matters or litigation include Diverse Power, Batson-Cook Company, Knology, Callaway Foundation, and DASH. We work with insurers in our medical malpractice defense practice such as MAG Mutual Insurance Company, CURI Insurance, MedMal Direct Insurance Company, and Doctors Direct Insurance Company. We also represent several local governmental bodies such as Troup County, Georgia, Troup County Health Department, and Troup County Development Authority. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecebbb4171c8d3fd920732e/1597130162341-LUIU6LVPK5CT3NQHSJ58/img12.jpg Firm History Matt Alford, Nathan Cronic, and Mark DeGennaro are proud to continue the long tradition of service and record of success of the Willis McKenzie law firm. Our firm traces its history to Horace E. Richter and A.W. Birdsong, who initially founded the firm as Richter and Birdsong in 1949. Jerry Willis joined the firm in 1975 followed by Ray McKenzie in 1979. After the death of Mr. Ritcher and the departure of Judge Birdsong to the Georgia Court of Appeals where he served with distinction for 21 years, Jerry and Ray moved the firm to our current location in 1985. Over the next 40 years, Jerry Willis achieved unparalleled, state-wide success as a trial lawyer, particularly in the area of medical malpractice defense, while continuing to serve our community as the County Attorney for the Troup County Board of Commissioners for over 52 years. Jerry and Ray continued to grow the firm by welcoming our current partners, Mark DeGennaro (1991), Matt Alford (1999), and Nathan Cronic (2004), and the firm eventually became Willis McKenzie LLP. In 2025, Jerry and Ray continue to serve of counsel for our firm. In January 2025, Mark DeGennaro was appointed by the Troup County Board of Commissioners as County Attorney for Troup County, Georgia, taking over from Jerry Willis after his 52 years of service in that position. https://www.willismckenzie.com/attorney-profiles daily 0.75 2025-06-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecebbb4171c8d3fd920732e/1597087176145-KAXJ85HU3IZTCDMWD3UG/NATHAN2.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecebbb4171c8d3fd920732e/1597086547437-UASEBOAW84VDTRZYBBVS/MATT2.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecebbb4171c8d3fd920732e/1597087689487-439X3L74UXP56SLJGI0D/MARK3.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecebbb4171c8d3fd920732e/46e4f506-1161-4f06-bb90-f341605a13b0/5B2B0C3C-1E43-4473-B9C9-48930602A8E4.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecebbb4171c8d3fd920732e/1597127262883-YBJA8M22ZRUN4S1YXX6D/JERRY3.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecebbb4171c8d3fd920732e/3656013a-6a78-4303-8b5b-5e049f47a300/1747698783972.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecebbb4171c8d3fd920732e/1597127019971-8NII7G90DXTDC07R90J9/RAY3.jpg https://www.willismckenzie.com/practice-areas daily 0.75 2025-01-21 https://www.willismckenzie.com/case-results daily 0.75 2025-01-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecebbb4171c8d3fd920732e/1597198149803-PGJG99WWG7D0U69TEKZ3/img6.jpg https://www.willismckenzie.com/contact daily 0.75 2025-01-21 https://www.willismckenzie.com/matthew-c-alford daily 0.75 2025-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecebbb4171c8d3fd920732e/1597193986962-7SS80P1CK7FTKJAVGXOF/MATT3.jpg MATTHEW C. ALFORD - MATTHEW C. ALFORD Born and raised in LaGrange, Matt joined the firm as an attorney in 1999 after starting as a clerk with the firm in 1995. Matt primarily focuses his trial practice on the defense of physicians, healthcare professionals, and hospitals in medical malpractice lawsuits in Federal and State jurisdictions across the State of Georgia. Matt also has a state-wide practice representing individuals in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases involving trucking, automobile, ATV, and boating negligence, as well as product liability. Matt has more than 25 years of experience providing clients with a variety of legal services. Practice areas: Trial Practice, Civil Litigation, Medical Malpractice Defense, Catastrophic Injury, Wrongful Death. Admitted: Georgia, 1999 Education: J.D., Mercer University, 1999 B.A., LaGrange College, 1994 Honors: AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® Associations and memberships: Troup County Bar Association- Past Treasurer; Coweta Bar Association; State Bar of Georgia; Moot Court Board. Personal: Matt and his wife, Lisa, are lifelong residents of LaGrange and have two children, Claire and Will. https://www.willismckenzie.com/jerry-willis daily 0.75 2025-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecebbb4171c8d3fd920732e/1597127262883-YBJA8M22ZRUN4S1YXX6D/JERRY3.jpg JERRY WILLIS - JERRY WILLIS In 2025, Jerry began serving our firm of counsel after a long, successful, and distinguished career as a trial lawyer for nearly sixty years. In addition to his unparalleled success as a trial lawyer in courtrooms across the State of Georgia, particularly defending physicians, Jerry proudly served Troup County as the County Attorney for the Troup County Board of Commissioners for over 52 years. Jerry began his practice in LaGrange in 1968 after clerking for the Honorable Griffin Bell. He focused his practice on civil litigation and established himself as one of the preeminent trial attorneys in Georgia. By invitation of his peers, he is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, an organization representing less than 1% of the trial attorneys in America. His vast experience has included the successful representation of hundreds of clients. Practice areas: Litigation, Corporate Litigation, Insurance Defense, Medical Malpractice Defense Admitted: Georgia, 1967 Honors: AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® The Best Lawyers in America®, 2012 Education: J.D., Emory University, 1968 B.A., University of Georgia, 1962 Associations and memberships: Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers; Member, Bryan Society; Troup County Bar Association; Coweta County Bar Association; State Bar of Georgia. https://www.willismckenzie.com/dewey-ray-mckenzie daily 0.75 2025-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecebbb4171c8d3fd920732e/1597127019971-8NII7G90DXTDC07R90J9/RAY3.jpg DEWEY RAY McKENZIE, Jr. - DEWEY RAY McKENZIE, Jr. Ray joined the firm in 1979 and has a wealth of experience in areas such as business and corporate law, trusts and estates, probate, and commercial real estate. Ray served as an assistant district attorney in the Coweta Judicial Circuit from 1978 to 1979, and Judge for the Juvenile Court of Troup County from 1987 to 1989. In 2025, Ray began serving our firm of counsel while continuing to represent individuals and corporations throughout our community. Practice areas: Business Law, Corporate Law, Probate, Commercial Real Estate, Wills, Trusts and Estates, Contracts. Admitted: Georgia, 1978 Honors: AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® Education: J.D., Mercer University, 1978 Staff, Mercer Law Review B.A., University of Georgia, summa cum laude, 1975 Phi Beta Kappa Associations and memberships: Georgia State Bar Association; Troup County Bar Association; Chairperson, LaGrange – Troup County Chamber of Commerce, 2000. https://www.willismckenzie.com/mark-l-degennaro daily 0.75 2025-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecebbb4171c8d3fd920732e/1597087689487-439X3L74UXP56SLJGI0D/MARK3.jpg MARK L. DEGENNARO - MARK L. DEGENNARO Mark DeGennaro has more than 30 years of experience providing clients with a variety of legal services. In 2025, Mark was appointed as County Attorney by the Troup County Board of Commissioners, taking over from Jerry Willis who proudly served for over 52 years in that position. Holding a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Georgia, Mark has also served as adjunct faculty for the University of Georgia Independent and Distance Learning Institution, LaGrange College, and as an instructor for the Georgia Crisis Intervention Team. In addition to vast experience in local and county government matters, Mark has extensive trial experience in the defense of physicians, healthcare providers, and hospitals in litigation cases in Federal and State Jurisdictions across the State of Georgia. Practice areas: General practice, Public and Government Law, Appellate Practice, Medical Malpractice Defense, Insurance Defense. Admitted: Georgia, 1991 Honors: BV Distinguished Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell Education: J.D., University of Georgia, cum laude, 1991 Ph.D., University of Georgia, 2004 M.A., University of Georgia, 1997 B.A., Berry College, Political Science, summa cum laude, 1988 Associations and memberships: Troup County Bar Association; State Bar of Georgia https://www.willismckenzie.com/nathan-d-cronic daily 0.75 2025-01-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecebbb4171c8d3fd920732e/1597087248525-6SZW3KAJ5VP2TJ95TF75/NATHAN3.jpg NATHAN D. CRONIC - NATHAN D. CRONIC Nathan joined Willis McKenzie LLP in 2004. He primarily focuses his state-wide trial practice on the defense of physicians, healthcare providers, and hospitals in medical malpractice cases in Federal and State jurisdictions across the State of Georgia. Nathan also represents individuals in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases resulting from trucking, automobile, ATV, and boating negligence, as well as product liability. Nathan has over 20 years of experience providing clients with a variety of legal services. Practice areas: Medical Malpractice Defense, Civil Litigation, Catastrophic Injury, Wrongful Death. Admitted: Georgia, 2003 Education: J.D., University of Georgia, cum laude, 2003 B.A., Valdosta State University, magna cum laude, 2000, Phi Kappa Phi Associations and memberships: National Order of the Barristers, Regional Champions; National Moot Court Competition, National Semi-Finalists; National Moot Court Competition, Best Team; Intrastate Moot Court Competition, Best Brief; Intrastate Moot Court Competition; Member, Moot Court Board https://www.willismckenzie.com/nathanlong daily 0.75 2025-06-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecebbb4171c8d3fd920732e/3656013a-6a78-4303-8b5b-5e049f47a300/1747698783972.jpg Nathan Long - NATHAN LONG Nathan joined Willis Mckenzie LLP as an Associate Attorney in 2025. Nathan was born and raised in Dacula, Georgia, having graduated from Mill Creek High School in 2017. Nathan graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia in Finance (2021), and a Juris Doctor degree from Georgia State University College of Law (2024). Nathan focuses his practice in the area of Medical Malpractice Defense for physicians, healthcare professionals, and hospitals in Federal and State jurisdictions across the State of Georgia. Practice areas: Medical Malpractice Defense, Catastrophic Injury, Wrongful Death, Probate, Wills, Trusts and Estates. Admitted: Georgia, 1999 to 2024 Education: J.D., Georgia State University College of Law, 2024 B.B.A., University of Georgia, 2021 Honors: AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® Associations and memberships: State Bar of Georgia. Personal: In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, working out, playing golf, and spending time with his parents and sister. https://www.willismckenzie.com/elizabethgill daily 0.75 2025-06-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecebbb4171c8d3fd920732e/89adb29b-0237-4bd3-ba0a-c29f49eece15/5B2B0C3C-1E43-4473-B9C9-48930602A8E4.jpg Elizabeth Gill - ELIZABETH GILL A native of Americus, Georgia, Elizabeth joined Willis McKenzie LLP in 2025 as an associate of the firm. Elizabeth graduated from Furman University in 2019 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and received her Juris Doctorate from Samford University's Cumberland School of Law in 2024. While in law school, she served as a member of the National Negotiation Team and the Vice President of First Generation Law Students. Elizabeth was also a member of the Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina Student Bar Associations. After law school, she began her legal career in Daphne, Alabama with a practice primarily focusing on insurance and premises liability defense. She is admitted to practice in state courts of Georgia and Alabama, as well as the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Alabama. Elizabeth's practice now focuses on the defense of physicians, healthcare professionals, and hospitals in medical malpractice lawsuits across Georgia. Practice areas: Trial Practice, Civil Litigation, Medical Malpractice Defense Admitted: Georgia, 2025, Alabama, 2024 Education: J.D., Samford University, 2024 B.A., Furman University, cum laude 2019, Delta Delta Delta Associations and memberships: State Bar of Georgia; State Bar of Alabama; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association https://www.willismckenzie.com/home-1 daily 0.75 2025-06-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ce845d89c04c80001f662e8/1560805809345-WR8K8L5UYBVSAXG3AW8V/Stocksy_txp824ffa5crXt000_Original_845128.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ce845d89c04c80001f662e8/1571161018000-NN8ZOL8YZHZ9M5MTEQQC/test-2.jpg Home - About the Hotel Designed to be a sanctuary in the middle of the city, the Barbosa knows that a little comfort goes a long way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ce845d89c04c80001f662e8/1571160975990-AGD3A213KCSK07XMUOYO/image-asset.jpeg Home - Take a Tour A stay at the Barbosa is more than a room. Explore a day in the life of a community of artists, innovators and travelers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ce845d89c04c80001f662e8/1571160950142-T43A8Z4CZHLID6Q1NTMH/static1.squarespace-2.jpg Home - Amenities Whether you’re looking for a healthy breakfast or a late-night snack, our award-winning kitchen has you covered. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1618497259178-6XJGK9GR6YAVBQL5L519/20140301_Trade-151_012-2.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694583486-2PQT0LQ193RL7MCB6DX4/20140228_Trade+151_0046.jpg Home