Leader of Procopio’s Health Care Practice Group, George L. (“Jody”) Root Jr. represents health care providers, especially in the formation of integrated delivery systems, nonprofit organizations, health care districts, medical staff relations, mental health law, provider relationships with third-party payors, medical groups, IPAs, and county operated health systems. He advises these health care entities on how to react to the changing environment. Before joining Procopio, Mr. Root had served as the chair of Foley & Lardner’s Regulated Industries and Health Law Departments, and their Health Care Industry Team as well as a member of the firm’s Management Committee. He was also the initial managing partner of Foley & Lardner’s San Diego office.
Mr. Root is general counsel to several general acute care and specialty hospitals. He is also general counsel to the Healthcare Association of San Diego & Imperial Counties, Sharp Community Medical Group, OxyHeal Health Group and Alliance Healthcare Foundation. His general counsel relationships with his clients have enabled him to become familiar with all aspects of health care law, as well as current industry business and market concerns.
A graduate of the University of San Diego School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1975) and Syracuse University (B.A., 1969), Mr. Root was admitted to the California Bar in 1975.
Mr. Root has been listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers (since 2003), and was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2007, as well as the The Daily Transcript's and San Diego Metropolitan Magazine’s San Diego County Top Attorneys. Additionally, he has been selected for the Southern California Super Lawyers® - San Diego lists in the Health Care category since 2007. He is past president of the San Diego/Imperial County Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, past president of the Mental Health Committee of the San Diego County Bar Association, and former vice chair of the Provider Advisory Committee of Healthy San Diego. He was an adjunct professor in the graduate programs in public health and psychology at San Diego State University and is an adjunct professor at University of California, San Diego, University of California, Irvine, and California Western School of Law. A member of various other professional associations, Mr. Root is also very active in community activities, especially those involving children, and has completed a 9 1/2 year term as a member of the Alpine Union School Board. He is an AV rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell.
Recent News Coverage
- Darcé, Keith. "San Diego firm lands team of lawyers who quit major practice", San Diego Union Tribune, March 22, 2007
- Sherwin, Doug. "Nine attorneys join Procopio to create health care practice", San Diego Daily Transcript, March 20, 2007
- Combs, Drew. "Foley Lawyers Start Procopio Health Care Group", Los Angeles Daily Journal, March 19, 2007
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