The Legal 500 > United States > United States > Healthcare: service providers

The healthcare department at King & Spalding LLP has experience in Medicare reimbursement appeals and other fraud enforcement actions, managed care litigation, compliance, corporate and contract law, as well as M&A and healthcare IT. Mark Polston in Washington DC acted for Prime Healthcare in its breach-of-contract claim against Humana over alleged underpayment for inpatient hospital services. Polston teamed up with Daniel Hettich and Chris Kenny to advise several health systems and hospitals on regulatory changes in Medicare funding for uncompensated care provided to low-income and uninsured individuals. In Atlanta, Glenn Reed, Tom Hawk and Jay Harris have advised Piedmont Healthcare on several acquisitions, including the purchase of Columbus Regional Health System. San Francisco-based partner Stephen Goff represented California Public Employees Retirement System in negotiations with health plans regarding health premium rates and contract terms for state employees and retirees, while Torrey McClary in Los Angeles assisted University of Colorado Health during its acquisition of Pikes Peak Regional Hospital.

With 'an excellent reputation in the non-profit sector', McDermott Will & Emery LLP 'stands out for its experience, attention to detail and thoughtful approach to problem-solving'. Regulatory managed care and health system advice, private equity transactions and joint ventures, healthcare technology and litigation are four of the team's key pillars of service. Boston-based partners Christopher Jedrey and Charles Buck, who 'combine technical legal expertise with sound tactical judgment and a strong strategic vision', advised Steward Health Care System on its $2.1bn merger with IASIS Healthcare and Medical Properties Trust. An ongoing highlight for 'first-rate transactions lawyer' Bernadette Broccolo in Chicago and 'excellent tax advisor' Robert Louthian in Washington DC is their work for an international specialty hospital and research institute on the design and implementation of a data and technology license venture aimed at providing diagnostic artificial intelligence solutions. In Chicago, clients recommend the 'very intelligent' Sandra DiVarco, who collaborated with Kerrin Slattery on several change-of-ownership transactions involving client Presence Health, as well as 'excellent communicators' Monica Wallace and Joshua Buchman. Eric Gordon in Los Angeles and Gary Davis in Miami are other names to note.

Jones Day's nationwide healthcare practice deals with a wide range of issues, including M&A and joint ventures, False Claims Act litigation, fraud and abuse matters, antitrust, corporate and payment structuring, as well as IT, cybersecurity and employment law. San Francisco-based James Dutro and Jeffrey Kapp in Cleveland advised on the joint venture between client City of Hope and Vantage Oncology, while in another matter, Stephen Sozio assisted Kapp on the due diligence, regulatory advice and contract negotiations necessary for the acquisition of Union Hospital by client Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Washington DC partner Alexis Gilroy continues to provide regulatory advice and transactional support to Onduo, a virtual diabetes care organization part-owned by Sanofi. Other leading practitioners include Atlanta-based litigator Rebekah Plowman and healthcare transactions specialist Thomas Dutton in Columbus.

The healthcare practice at Latham & Watkins LLP advises on all aspects of M&A and private equity transactions, as well as providing regulatory advice and representation in government investigations and whistleblower actions, fraud and abuse claims and other types of litigation. A major highlight for the Los Angeles practice was Daniel Settelmayer's work for DaVita on the $4.9bn sale of DaVita Medical Group to UnitedHealth affiliate Optum, while in Washington DC, Stuart S. Kurlander assisted Kohlberg Kravis Roberts on the regulatory aspects of three separate service provider acquisitions, each in the billion-dollar value range. On the contentious side, San Diego-based Katherine Lauer advised Tenet Healthcare Corporation on a False Claims Act qui tam action concerning an alleged referral of Part B ambulance services to providers at below-cost rates. In 2017, the healthcare white-collar practice was boosted by the arrival of former Paul Hastings LLP counsel Terra Reynolds, who joined as a partner and local co-chair of the litigation and trial department in Chicago.

Ropes & Gray LLP advises clients including traditional providers, academic health systems, for-profit companies and private equity firms on a broad range of matters, including transactions, regulatory compliance, antitrust litigation, government investigations, IT and data security. In a recent highlight, John Chesley in the San Francisco office advised Emory Healthcare on a collaboration with Kaiser Permanente in order to provide a new integrated patient care model, while Boston partner Timothy McCrystal took a lead role for Harvard Pilgrim Health Care on its talks over an affiliation with Partners Health Systems. In Chicago, Deborah Gersh acted as regulatory and transaction counsel to Heartland Dental during its sale to KKR. The core team also includes regulatory and reimbursement lawyer Thomas Bulleit in Washington DC, and New York partner Stephen Warnke, who focuses on government enforcement actions and managed care matters. Adrianne Ortega made partner in the firm's Boston office in November 2018, while New York lawyer Drew Clary was promoted to counsel in early 2019.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP's healthcare team, which is led out of New York and Washington DC, provides a broad range of legal services, including corporate, M&A, litigation and white-collar defense, regulatory compliance, private equity financing and capital markets, as well as intellectual property and data privacy law. John Gleeson and Maura Monaghan defended EmblemHealth in a False Claims Act-related qui tam lawsuit initiated by realtors in the New York Supreme Court. On the transactional side, Kevin Rinker led for Hospital Corporation of America on its $1.5bn asset acquisition of Mission Health, while Andrew Bab represented a consortium consisting of TPG Capital, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe and Humana in its $4.1bn purchase of Kindred Healthcare. Transactional antitrust and trial lawyer Ted Hassi joined the Washington DC office from O'Melveny & Myers LLP in July 2018. All other mentioned attorneys are based in New York.

The healthcare team at DLA Piper LLP (US) is 'strong in regulatory compliance and all kinds of transactional work', while also offering dispute resolution and data privacy advice. Miami-based practice lead Joshua Kaye, who delivers 'exceptional service, quality of work and attention to detail', assisted Somos Innovation on the establishment of a Medicaid-focused, value-based care system in New York together with Evolent, while well-regarded Philadelphia litigator Brian Benjet advised BioMatrix Specialty Pharmacy and its affiliates on a fraud claim from Highmark under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Austin partner Karen Nelson - who has 'deep experience and a practical approach' - successfully represented a hospital and health system in its attempt to prove non-compliance of external auditors with the procedural requirements during the client's audit investigation. Tom Califano, who is based in New York, specialises in representing healthcare companies in Chapter 11 proceedings.

The 'terrific, smart and committed' global healthcare team at Hogan Lovells US LLP is recommended for its 'superb advice and follow-through in healthcare issues impacting hospitals'. One example of the latter was 'unsurpassed regulatory expert' Sheree Kanner's work for American Hospital Association in its efforts to ensure that hospital audits conducted by the OIG and repayment requests from CMS are consistent with Medicare rules. The practice further handles transactions, antitrust litigation, payment models and reimbursement, as well as data privacy issues. In other highlights, Beth Roberts assisted the American College of Radiology on filing a successful application for support and participation in the regulatory rule-making for CMS' new appropriate-use-criteria program for advanced diagnostic imaging services, while a team comprising Clifford Stromberg, Robert Leibenluft and Leigh Oliver (among others) advised Wake Forest Baptist Health on its $250m acquisition of High Point Regional Health from University of North Carolina Health Care. Jonathan Diesenhaus, 'a very experienced and knowledgeable False Claims Act and qui tam expert', recently acted for clients such as Healogics and Beaumont Health. All mentioned individuals are based in Washington DC. In New York, local practice head Jeff Schneider is the main contact.

McGuireWoods LLP is renowned for its private equity and litigation expertise in the healthcare sector. The team also advises on dental management structures, regulatory compliance and M&A transactions. Chicago-based practice lead Amber McGraw Walsh advised Silver Oak Services Partners on its buyout of Integrated Oncology Network, while Thomas Zahn in Pittsburgh acted for Revelstoke Capital Partners in its acquisition of a majority stake in Cincinnati Eye Institute. In another major highlight, Bart Walker assisted local client Charlotte Radiology with its recapitalization and partnership with Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe.

Proskauer Rose LLP's clients include medical groups and health systems, as well as private equity investors and lending institutions. The healthcare team handles corporate and M&A, regulatory, bankruptcy and contentious matters, while also drawing on lawyers from the firm's real estate, IT, private equity, tax and intellectual property practice groups. Richard Zall in New York advised private equity firm Archimedes Health Investors and its portfolio company National Partners in Health on its acquisitions of several anaesthesia practices and their physician billing and practice management companies, while also assisting Cincinatti Eye Institute with the launch of its management services organization CEI Vision Partners. Other core members of the team in New York include former department chair Edward Kornreich and David Manko. The latter's highlights include advising on a program for Delmont Medical Group to co-locate primary care and behavioural health services.

Greenberg Traurig, LLP specializes in strategic regulatory matters, including FDA law, CMS reimbursement, OIG audits, licensure and policy issues, while also offering legal support on healthcare M&A and private equity transactions, as well as liability and compliance litigation. Dallas partner Joseph Coniglio assists Presbyterian Communities & Services and its healthcare entities on corporate, regulatory and operational matters. The practice is led by Nancy Taylor in Washington DC and Michael Cherniga in Tallahassee. Transactions specialist Michael Malone is the name to note in Dallas.

The healthcare practice at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is known for representing a broad range of clients, including hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, private equity firms, pharmacies, specialist facilities and hospice agencies. Compliance issues, litigation, coverage and reimbursement, employment, as well as data privacy and transactions constitute the service portfolio. In a private equity highlight, Washington DC partners Joyce Cowan and Howard Young advised Varsity Healthcare Partners on its investment in Ideal Option. Susan Feigin Harris, who in late 2017 joined the Houston office within team of five other lawyers from Baker & Hostetler LLP, resolved a major Medicaid reimbursement claim for twelve of the nation's largest children's hospitals.

Renowned for its 'holistic advice' and cross-disciplinary approach, Nixon Peabody LLP's twelve offices offer clients 'access a full range of services through one main contact'. The breadth of the healthcare practice, led by Michael Taubin in Long Island, covers regulatory matters such as payment programs, corporate organization, government programs and managed-care models, as well as licensing issues, fraud and abuse litigation, telemedicine, in addition to transactions, employment, bankruptcy and data privacy matters. In Chicago, finance specialist Julie Seymour advised Bank of America on its purchase of $673m worth of Oklahoma University Medicine's issuance of tax-exempt bonds, while Thomas Fahey represented Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers in negotiations regarding an affiliation with Rush Health System. Other notable partners include behavioural health team head Peter Egan, also based in Long Island and life sciences co-chair Jill Gordon in Los Angeles.

The range of healthcare services provided by Norton Rose Fulbright covers M&A and joint ventures, regulatory matters such as fraud and abuse, reimbursement, licensing and government enforcement disputes, as well as bet-the-company litigation, employment law and intellectual property. Debbi Johnstone and Yvonne K Puig and Jerry A Bell are the key partners in Texas, while Thomas E Dowdell leads the regulatory team in Washington DC. St Louis partner-in-charge James Wiehl heads up the transactional practice across the US, while New York transactional and regulatory partner Andrew Roth and St Louis Stacey Murphy are other names to note.

Clients recommend Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP's 'industry knowledge, practical advice, constant availability and professionalism'. The team advises on matters such as healthcare joint ventures, licensing, value-based reimbursement arrangements, corporate governance and healthcare program structuring, reform implementation, as well as fraud and abuse, antitrust and cybersecurity litigation. 'Outstanding' New York partner Jay Gerzog continues to assist Kaleido Health Solutions with the structuring and implementation of a national telemedicine services platform, while 'high-level negotiator' Eric Klein represented R1 RCM in the drafting of a long-term outsourcing agreement with Intermountain Healthcare for the procurement of technological patient care tracking and documentation services. 'Dedicated and confident medical transactions expert' Jeralin Cardoso is another name to note in California, having represented First Colonies Anesthesia Associates in its partnership with US Anethesia Partners.

The healthcare practice at Arnold & Porter, which is based in Washington DC, advises on regulatory matters, antitrust, white-collar disputes, intellectual property and transactions. Recent highlights include Kirk Ogrosky's high-profile defense of eye doctor Salomon Melgen against indictments alleging bribery and public corruption, as well as Allison Shuren's representation of multiple retina physician group practices in False Claims Act investigations concerning the treatment costs of age-related macular degeneration. DaVita, EyeCare Partners and Millennium Health are also clients of the practice.

Baker & Hostetler LLP advises healthcare providers and private equity firms,  on a range of issues including transactions, regulation, finance, disputes and data security. Houston-based Lynn Sessions is well known for her work in the areas of privacy and data security, and recently advised several hospitals and health systems in multiple states on data protection compliance. In the same office, litigator Gregory S. Saikin defended Harbor Healthcare System in a DOJ investigation concerning alleged criminal healthcare fraud and False Claims Act violations. Practice head Charlene McGinty, who is based in Atlanta, advised Northside Hospital on fifteen acquisitions and affiliations of physician entities and surgery centers.

With 'unparalleled Medicare and Medicaid expertise', the healthcare team at Katten 'is extremely effective at dealing with regulators and adversaries'. The practice handles M&A, joint ventures, reimbursement and compliance strategies, as well as financing matters, while the litigation work typically relates to white collar internal and governmental investigations, False Claims Act disputes and anti-kickback law. 'Exceptional' New York partner Joseph Willey represents several healthcare systems in local government audits and investigations concerning the threatened recoupment of Medicare and Medicaid payments, Medicaid audit disallowance and compliance issues in the billing of services. In Chicago, Ken Davis 'is regarded nationally as a premier radiology healthcare attorney', while the 'spectacular' Megan Hardiman is recommended for her 'knowledge, professionalism and communication skills'. The opening of a new office in Dallas resulted in an influx of corporate healthcare matters for managing partner Mark Solomon and his team, which also comprises former Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP partner Lisa Atlas Genecov. She leads the team together with Chicago-based Laura Keidan Martin.

Southeastern firm Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP provides advice on healthcare M&A and financing transactions, compliance, IT and antitrust , while it also represents clients in litigation, white-collar crime proceedings and governmental enforcement matters. Team lead Thomas Moran in Myrtle Beach advised Tidelands Health on its joint venture with Encompass Health for the construction and operation of a rehabilitation hospital in South Carolina. In 2018, the firm merged with Florida practice Broad & Cassel, adding a 25-lawyer healthcare team, including Fort Lauderdale-based Gabriel Imperato, who defended Am-Med Diabetic Supplies and AJT Diabetic Supplies against a False Claims Act qui tam action regarding medical supplies reimbursement.

Seyfarth Shaw LLP's client roster includes hospitals, health systems, academic and research institutions, as well as physician groups, emergency centers and behavioral and home health providers. The firm advises on contract negotiations, professional liability claims, transactions, anti-kickback and False Claims Act disputes, data privacy issues and other types of regulatory advice and defense. Houston-based partner Jesse Coleman represented Memorial Hermann Health System as defendant against defamation, fraud and tortious interference claims made by a member of the medical staff, while another highlight was Century City-based Douglas Mancino's work for Intermountain Healthcare on the establishment of generic drug company Civica Rx. Real estate lawyer Cynthia Mitchell in New York and employment partner Kristin McGurn in Boston also specialize in healthcare-related matters.

Unsurprisingly, given its sterling reputation for litigation, appellate work and regulatory matters, Williams & Connolly LLP is a go-to firm when healthcare clients become embroiled in high-stakes government investigations and litigation. The practice is chaired jointly by Enu Mainigi, Jennifer Wicht and Holly Conley, each of whom has considerable experience acting on behalf of clients in the healthcare industry. Mainigi leads the firm's work for Cardinal Health, where it serves as lead and national counsel in investigations and litigation relating to the client's distribution of opioid medications. Wicht is the key partner acting for Accredo in qui tam litigation relating to alleged kickbacks and violations of the Civil Monetary Penalties statute. Conley's clients include pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers, and pharmacies. Other notable clients of the firm are CVS Health, Omnicare and Doctors Hospital at Renaissance.