Denise Cleveland-Leggett, Of Counsel

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Denise Cleveland-Leggett

Over the past twenty-five years, Denise Cleveland-Leggett has combined extensive legal experience in various areas of the public and private sectors with active involvement as a business and community leader in Atlanta.   

Denise currently represents Baudino’s various healthcare clients in transactional and regulatory matters, including hospital acquisitions, hospital and physician contract negotiations, and clinical integrations.  She has led the due diligence team for multi-million dollar hospital acquisitions that resulted in solid protection of the client’s interests and successful transactions.  She also counseled clients through multi-million dollar tax-exempt bond issuances to finance capital projects.

Denise also serves on the Baudino Litigation Team and assists in resolving and defending matters, such as Antitrust and Employment Law, including discrimination.  She believes that a commitment to the client relationship is the foundation for achieving the best results for each client.   

RECENT REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

 

  • Drafted transaction documents and led the due diligence process for a multi-million dollar hospital lease acquisition on behalf of a nonprofit health system client.  Also reviewed FEMA’s and GEMA’s funding determinations and ensured the anticipated collection of the millions of dollars to which the hospital was entitled under the federal and state programs.
  • Served on litigation defense team that successfully defended Antitrust case against a hospital client that was dismissed by the District Court, now vigorously defending on appeal against plaintiff’s claims.  Handled various issues related to the plaintiff, including conflict of interest and other Antitrust related issues.
  • Drafted transaction documents and led the due diligence process for two multi-million dollar hospital acquisitions on behalf of a nonprofit health system client, in the same year.
  • Counseled hospital client on corporate formation of nonprofit physician group and physician contracting process.
  • Served as transactional co-counsel on multi-million dollar tax-exempt bond issues to finance acquisitions and capital projects.  Interfaced with administrative agencies to secure the transactions.

CAREER EXPERIENCE

  • Argued before the Georgia Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of Georgia.
  • Represented physician practice group in contract negotiations, leases, and employment litigation.
  • Title VII and other employment related matters, including discrimination.
  • Corporate Law
  • Government Relations
  • Represented:
              Atlanta Board of Education
              Insurance Companies/Insurance Defense
  • Served as counsel to the Department of Legislative Reference, Maryland General Assembly.
  • Served as counsel to the Administrative Executive and Legislative Review Committee, Maryland General Assembly.
  • Drafted bond and capital finance legislation for the Maryland General Assembly and worked closely with Senate/House Budget Committees.
  • Member of litigation team for the City of Cleveland Department of Law.

EDUCATION

  Boston University School of Law, Boston, Massachusetts (J.D., 1984) 

  Oakwood College, Huntsville, Alabama (B.A., 1981) 

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

  American Bar Association
          Antitrust Law Section
          Health Law Section

  American Health Lawyers Association
          Hospitals & Health Systems Section
          Physician Organizations Section

American Health Lawyers Association
          Tax & Finance Section

  Georgia State Bar Association
          Health Law Section
          Employment Section

National Employment Lawyers Association

LEADERSHIP

  Georgia Commission for Women
          Appointed by Lt. Governor to serve two terms and Commissioned by the Governor

  Georgia State Ethics Commission

  State Personnel Oversight Commission

  Council for the Hearing Impaired Legal Clinic, Co-Counsel

HONORS

  State Bar of Georgia’s Justice Robert Benham Award for Community Service, 2009 

  Who’s Who in Black Atlanta, 2006, 2007, 2008

COMMUNITY

  Atlanta History Center, Board of Trustees

  Literacy Action, Inc., Board of Trustees and Immediate Past President

  Margaret Mitchell House & Museum, President of the Board of Councilors

  True Colors Theater Company, Board of Trustees, Co-Chair – 2008 Opening Night Fundraiser of Swimming Upstream

  Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund, Art Fund Guest Reviewer, 2008

  American Heart Association, Patron’s Chair, 2007 Heart Ball

  Leadership Georgia

  Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Task Force on Development of Minority Entrepreneurship

  United Negro College Fund, Vice-Chair of the UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball 

  Breath of Life Television Ministry, Board Member