About Ashford Gray
Our Foundation
A Legacy of
Legal Excellence
Founded in 1999 by partners John Philip's Esq and Margaret Gray, the firm was established with a singular conviction: that every client deserves the caliber of legal representation once reserved only for the most powerful.
Over the past twenty-five years, Ashford Gray has grown from a two-partner boutique into one of New York's most formidable full-service law firms — without ever abandoning the personal attention that defined us from day one. Our growth is measured not in office space or headcount, but in the outcomes we achieve for those who trust us with their most critical legal matters.
Today, our 50+ attorneys serve clients across federal and state courts, handling complex matters from corporate mergers to criminal defense, immigration to estate planning — each case guided by the same unwavering standard of excellence Jonathan and Margaret set at the firm's founding.
What Guides Us
Our Core Values
Integrity
We operate with absolute honesty — with our clients, opposing counsel, and the courts. Trust is the foundation of every attorney-client relationship we hold.
Excellence
We refuse mediocrity at every level. From legal research to courtroom delivery, our standard is the absolute highest the profession demands — then higher.
Advocacy
We are advocates first and lawyers second. We argue your position with conviction, energy, and the full depth of our collective legal knowledge.
Justice
We believe in a legal system that works for everyone. We take cases that matter and fight with equal intensity regardless of client size or case complexity.
The People Behind the Firm
Our Leadership Team
John Philip's Esq
Margaret Gray
David Chen
Serena Okafor
Our Journey
Milestones That Define Us
The Firm is Founded
John Philip's Esq and Margaret Gray open a two-partner boutique in Midtown Manhattan with a staff of four and a vision to redefine client-first legal representation.
First Major Federal Victory
The firm secures a landmark $47M verdict in a federal corporate fraud case — putting Ashford Gray on the national stage and establishing its litigation reputation.
National Expansion
Offices open in Chicago and Los Angeles. The firm adds criminal defense and immigration practice groups, expanding to 22 attorneys across three locations.
National Recognition
Ashford Gray is ranked among the Top 50 Law Firms in America by the National Law Journal. John Philip's Esq receives the American Bar Association's Award for Litigation Excellence.
50+ Attorneys & Growing
Today Ashford Gray operates across six offices, employs over 50 attorneys, and continues its tradition of delivering results that exceed every expectation.
Ready to Work With Us?
Schedule a confidential consultation with one of our attorneys today.
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