ClearSky Law Group broadened its Administrative Law Practice area by adding attorney, John Dratz, Jr. who joined the firm on April 1, 2017 as Of Counsel.
John has considerable experience defending health care providers and other professionals in administrative actions brought by Federal and State agencies seeking to discipline the professional. Discipline can include suspending or revoking the professional’s license. John has the calm perspective and expertise to guide clients facing such actions and achieve the best possible result. He has credibility with the agency attorneys (usually the Attorney General’s Office) and with the courts, having served as a Supervising Deputy Attorney General from 1987 through 2000 and as an Administrative Law Judge since 2010.
In the past, John successfully defended a laboratory director and enabled him to retain his license. He has defended physicians, physical therapists, acupuncturists, and nurses, enabling them to continue their practice (in some cases with restrictions). He’s also been successful in petitioning the court for a writ of mandaums, a proceeding that secures the legal right for a business to conitnue operating. When faced with an audit, he has helped clients prepare for the audit, correct deficiencies, and participated in the audit, enabling them to avoid harsh monetary penalties and further discipline.
He enjoys working with clients using his experience as a prosecutor and defense counsel to help identify situations which may start as an administrative action, but expose the client to criminal liability. In many cases, he has been able to stop or defeat such criminal actions.
John lives in Los Angeles and spends his spare time writing fiction, painting and sculpting, and playing at golf.