THE FIRM This highly respected firm continues to be seen as the first choice across the nation in healthcare matters, and can offer preeminent expertise that draws on its broad litigious and counseling capabilities. The firm is particularly applauded for its approach to client service and industry understanding, and is a recognized force in California, Washington, DC, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts and New York. Its recent work continues to exemplify its strong regulatory and transactional practice, and includes representing the largest nonprofit healthcare system in the USA, Ascension Health, in a joint venture with Oak Hill Capital Partners.

Client Service "My experience has been very positive - they are incredibly thorough and very deep in terms of expertise. Whenever we have an issue there is always someone that can assist us and they always provide top-level analysis and responses."

Commercial Awareness "They are not just legal experts - they understand business too. When they give advice, it is not just 'this is what the law says,' it is very practical. This is a great strength of theirs."  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ira Coleman is highly regarded by industry sources for his extensive transactional practice, and leads the Miami branch of the healthcare practice group. His recent work includes advising Tennessee-based TeamHealth on acquisitions and being involved in the largest qui tam case in Florida.

Miami-based Gary Scott Davis is characterized by clients as "one of the most brilliant attorneys I have dealt with - he thinks outside the box and is creative." He is considered a national leading choice in managed care matters, and led the creation of the firm's Accountable Care Organization Resource Center.

Joel Michaels heads the firm's Washington, DC practice, and is considered by peers to be "clearly a national expert" in the insurance arena. His highly respected expertise extends both to transactional matters, such as representing Munich Health in a stock purchase, and to helping payors navigate regulatory changes.

Michael Peregrine is located in the Chicago office, and is praised as being "one of the best people in the country on nonprofit organizations." He counsels clients such as hospitals and health systems on matters related to corporate governance and is highly active both writing and speaking on such topics.

Stephen Bernstein leads the firm's international practice group, and is based in the Boston office. He is held in high regard by industry sources for his wide-reaching transactional experience, and for his expertise in health information matters such as data security and electronic records.

Bernadette Broccolo is considered "a leader in the field" for her expertise in health information technology and her creative approach to developing compliance programs for academic medical care centers. She is situated in the Chicago office, and is also a recognized force in matters related to accountable care organizations.  

Eric Gordon heads both the California healthcare practice group and the firm's Los Angeles office. His widely acclaimed regulatory practice draws on his expertise as a qualified physician, and he is particularly commended for his academic medical center and antikickback experience. Sources praise him as being "very prompt, practical and knowledgeable in the regulatory world."

Christopher Jedrey leads the Boston practice group, and is commended by both peers and clients for the "great strategic insight" he brings to his respected transactional practice. His expertise includes working with a range of clients such as private equity firms, physician groups and academic medical centers.   

Michael Anthony is a distinguished member of the Chicago office whose role as senior counsel draws on his highly regarded transactional expertise. His recent work includes advising clients on how to integrate a cardiology group into a health system.

THE FIRM This distinguished practice group upholds its well-established market presence, with a sizable group maintaining its recognized expertise in all aspects of the healthcare industry. Its strength in both transactional and regulatory compliance matters attracts clients such as GE Healthcare and Palmetto Health, and it is particularly prominent in Washington, DC, New York and Georgia. Its recent work includes working with nationwide Apria Healthcare in a $26 million acquisition of Praxair assets and helping clients respond creatively to proposed healthcare reform.

Client Service "We can turn to them and get great support when we need them - what we really like is that all areas are covered." 

Commercial Awareness "All of the individuals we work with are not only up to date on changes in the law or industry, but they are ahead of the curve."

KEY INDIVIDUALS One of the co-founders of the firm, Jeffrey Becker is based in the New York office and is universally praised for his transactional expertise and "tremendous focus on details." His clients span the healthcare industry, including health systems and academic medical centers, and draw on his long-standing experience of the healthcare market.

Douglas Hastings operates out of the Washington, DC office and is widely acclaimed as being "very effective and on top of national developments." His innovative transactional practice incorporates his extensive experience of the changing healthcare landscape and sees him work with clients such as Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation.  

THE FIRM Hogan Lovells remains a recognized force in the healthcare arena, and is considered a preeminent choice for its strength across the board, with a particular specialty in regulatory matters. The Washington, DC office is the focal point of its renowned practice, and it also maintains a significant presence in Florida, New York, Maryland, California and Colorado. The team's inclusive approach to healthcare sees it represent clients from across the industry, including the American Hospital Association, Biogen and Laboratory Corporation of America. It continues to excel in its transactional, litigation and regulatory capabilities and to garner praise for its business expertise.

Commercial Awareness "They have given us resources from lots of different offices, and have really been first-rate in terms of cross-functional bench strength - I am impressed by the depth of their practice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Thomas Bulleit is located in the firm's Washington, DC office and is highlighted by clients for his notable fraud and abuse expertise. His work with clients such as GE Healthcare showcases his highly respected experience in regulatory compliance matters. 

Washington, DC-based Robert Leibenluft brings his experience leading the healthcare division at the FTC to his highly regarded antitrust practice. His recent work includes representing clients across the nation in affiliations and acquisitions.

Jeffrey Schneider is a prominent and widely acclaimed member of the New York office, and his expertise spans litigation, regulatory and transactional matters. The last year has seen him work with a range of clients from across the States such as Nurse on Call and Continuing Care Leadership Coalition.

Ann Morgan Vickery remains a key figure in the Washington, DC office and is considered a distinguished and experienced member of the team. Her clients include leading manufacturers and providers, and she has particular expertise in Medicare and Medicaid matters.

Stephen Immelt is primarily located in the Baltimore office and is highly respected for his prominent enforcement litigation practice. His work includes representing clients such as medical schools and clinical laboratories in government investigations.

THE FIRM This respected firm is increasingly prominent in the healthcare area, and is highly praised by both peers and clients for the breadth of its regulatory, litigation and transactional capabilities. It has noted strength in Georgia, Texas and Washington, DC and can draw on additional expertise in California and New York. The practice group includes former key industry and government members, and its expertise includes such diverse areas as False Claims Act investigations, insurance reimbursement and antitrust matters.

Client Service "They do a really great job, have really led educational services, offer a lot of free seminars to clients, have round-table discussions on timely topics and are very good and proactive in terms of getting information out there to their clients."

Commercial Awareness "They fall very much within the category of counselors as opposed to mere lawyers - they serve their clients in a really holistic sense, know the healthcare industry very well and have a sensitivity to business imperatives."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Washington, DC practice leader Dennis Barry is praised as being "a national reimbursement attorney," and garners widespread praise from industry sources for his expertise in regulatory matters. He is considered a first choice for his work advising providers on compliance-related issues.  

Gary Eiland heads the Texas healthcare practice and is a recognized expert in regulatory matters. His practice encompasses experience in insurance coverage and government investigations among other areas, and sources comment that "Gary's strengths are his experience, the fact that he knows the industry very well and that he is communicative and attentive to clients' needs."

Industry group chair Glen Reed is situated in the Atlanta office and is considered "a pillar of the health law community." His noteworthy experience and significant expertise extend to regulatory matters that impact clients from across the industry.

Atlanta-based Richard Shackelford debuts on the table this year amid strong praise for his regulatory and fraud and abuse expertise. He is particularly noted for his work representing clients such as health systems and medical device companies in government investigations.

THE FIRM Despite operating predominantly out of the firm's Washington, DC and Baltimore offices, this well-regarded group is increasingly recognized for its nationwide expertise. It wins accolades for its antitrust and fraud and abuse capabilities, and its practice is enhanced by significant industry experience. A range of clients including Pfizer and HCA benefit from its wide-reaching practice that extends to matters such as insurance reimbursement and False Claims Act investigations.

Sources say: "They are hired by people all over the country and are known by people all over the country - their regulatory practice is nationwide and I have a high opinion of them."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Washington, DC-based John Miles is recognized by sources as being a first choice in counseling clients such as hospitals and health systems on antitrust matters. He is credited as being "very responsive and incredibly knowledgeable about antitrust issues."

Sanford Teplitzky cochairs the practice from the Maryland office, and his regulatory expertise is highlighted by market commentators. He is considered "one of the top three fraud and abuse attorneys in the country," and his clients span the industry.

Maryland-based firm president Craig Holden is newly included in the table this year amid widespread praise from market sources. His significant fraud and abuse expertise sees him work across the nation with clients on matters such as Medicare reimbursement and regulatory compliance issues.

THE FIRM This international firm continues to uphold its long-standing reputation in the healthcare arena, and works with clients such as Johnson & Johnson and Omnicare. The practice group's main strength is located in Washington, DC but it also has important capabilities in Virginia, Pennsylvania, California and Illinois. It has a strong regulatory focus that includes government investigation work, and forms part of the umbrella life sciences health group which offers additional expertise in transactional and litigation matters. Practitioners from several different offices were involved in acting as counsel to HCR ManorCare during its $6.1 billion nationwide sale of 334 facilities to HCP in the last year.

Commercial Awareness "We are very impressed by their ability to remain up to date with changes in the law and with our company."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Elizabeth Carder-Thompson is based in the Washington, DC office and is considered a leading choice in regulatory matters. One source comments that "I was very impressed with her knowledge and dedicated service - she is always available, a tireless worker and understands our industry." Her expert practice includes a focus on insurance reimbursement and fraud and abuse.

THE FIRM This respected firm brings substantive experience to its long-established practice, and is increasingly praised for its interpretation of and involvement in healthcare reform. It is particularly known for its solid presence in Boston, New York and Washington, DC and continues to grow its strength in California. Its expertise encompasses regulatory and transactional matters, and includes strong litigation capabilities. The last year has seen its involvement in groundbreaking innovations such as representing West Penn Allegheny Health System in its affiliation with Pennsylvania's largest Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurer.

Client Service "The service delivered is exceptional. The attorneys and staff that I work with provide timely responses and are always willing to investigate issues, including identifying additional resources to assist in addressing questions."

Commercial Awareness "A strength for them is the ability to translate things into business terms."

KEY INDIVIDUALS New York-based Stephen Warnke is considered a national leader for his strong regulatory enforcement practice, and is characterized by sources as "absolutely excellent across the board in terms of understanding the laws and regulations and how they affect our business."

Michele Garvin is located in the Boston office and continues to be highly regarded for her expertise in representing providers such as community hospitals and clients from the pharmaceutical sector. Sources praise her strong transactional practice and increasing regulatory capabilities.

THE FIRM This highly regarded firm is applauded for its all-encompassing approach to the various industry sectors within the healthcare and FDA space, and maintains strength and presence in Washington, DC, Illinois and California. Its synthesized capabilities enable it to work with diverse clients such as Allergan, Quest Diagnostics and GE Healthcare and draw on significant regulatory compliance and enforcement expertise. The last year has seen the team engage in litigation, regulatory and transactional matters that have required work across multiple jurisdictions.

Client Service "It has been a very good experience working with them - they have a very high-quality work product, they are efficient, they have the combination of being pragmatic and very intelligent and have great client service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Paul Kalb is the global coordinator of the practice, and is based in the Washington, DC office. He is experienced in fraud and abuse, and representing clients in government investigations.  

THE FIRM This multifaceted group is increasingly active servicing its broad register of clients across the nation. Its recognized transactional expertise is complemented by regulatory and policy strength that reaches across the sector, and its practice also draws on significant litigation capabilities. The firm offers a strong healthcare presence in Washington, DC, Tennessee and Georgia and is also noted in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.

Sources say: "They bring a lot to the table - their strengths are their experience and diversity of knowledge and they have extremely good attorneys." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Cowart chairs the firm's health group and is based in Nashville. Another key member of the team is Washington, DC-based Donna Thiel.

THE FIRM Foley & Lardner's healthcare group is particularly noted for its comprehensive and dedicated approach to client service. The firm has an extensive reach across the nation and maintains an especially strong presence in Washington, DC, California, Massachusetts and Wisconsin, with other representatives in additional locations contributing to its interdisciplinary expertise. Its practice includes a focus on transactional work, fraud and abuse matters and regulatory counseling. It is also increasingly active in health IT and represents clients from across the industry.

Client Service "Their client service is truly amazing - when we had deadlines they were met; they always kept up and engendered a lot of loyalty."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Boston-based Michael Blau garners praise for his long-standing transactional practice and is considered "a real superstar," by sources. Commentators note that he has "particular health law expertise that was really valuable on a tactical level," and his skills in working on the structural interactions between medical corporations and physician medical groups are specifically highlighted.   

THE FIRM This global firm provides clients such as healthcare systems, private equity firms and hospitals with cross-disciplinary expertise and experience. It can draw on particular strength in Ohio, Illinois and California and also has a presence in Washington, DC among other locations. The team commands diverse areas such as fraud and abuse and regulatory compliance matters, and is a recognized force in the transactional arena, with its strong antitrust capabilities gaining particular praise.

Sources say: "It is a top-notch firm with excellent people and depth."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Toby Singer is situated in the Washington, DC office and is considered a preeminent antitrust practitioner who focuses on transactions within the healthcare space. Industry sources praise her expertise and she is known for representing both payors and providers.

THE FIRM The healthcare team at this highly regarded international firm is located in offices across the nation, but has significant presence in Washington, DC and California. It is recognized for its strong transactional capabilities, and the last year has seen it continue to work with clients such as Beckman Coulter and Adventist Health on a range of acquisitions. The team also remains a significant presence in the litigation space, representing clients such as hospital systems in government investigations.

Commercial Awareness "They are very good and give down-to-earth advice. We talk to people who know the situation and know us - they took the time to get to know us."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Daniel Meron is Global Co-chair of the firm's Health Care & Life Sciences Practice Group.

THE FIRM The healthcare practice at this firm continues to grow and works with clients such as insurers, hospitals and medical centers across the nation. It remains a recognized force in California and New York, and continues to grow its Washington, DC presence. The group is applauded for its continued work in the implementation of healthcare reform, with regulatory, transactional and litigation expertise supporting its innovative approach. The firm places a strong emphasis on understanding the business needs of clients and this is equally evident in its integrated approach to healthcare industry clients.

Client Service "They are a wonderful organization, with competency, responsiveness and familiarity with regulatory bodies."

Commercial Awareness "They are extremely knowledgeable and very involved in the healthcare community."

KEY INDIVIDUALS San Francisco-based Daniel Higgins is acclaimed by market commentators for his transactional expertise. The last year has seen him work across the country with clients such as CoxHealth.

James Schwartz is located in the firm's Los Angeles office, and remains an important figure in the transactional space. He is particularly noted for his focus on nonprofit organizations and is considered an expert in this space.

Division chair William Bernstein is based in New York and is a recognized expert in health information technology, with a key role in the development of health information exchanges developed across the nation. His expertise also extends to providing regulatory and transactional counsel to a range of clients.  

THE FIRM The healthcare practice at this long-established firm provides an integrated industry-focused approach to clients such as nonprofit health systems and academic medical centers. It is particularly noted for its experience in counseling clients on all aspects of large transactions such as consolidations, and its expertise also encompasses litigation and regulatory compliance. Texas remains the bastion of its strength but it also has significant presence in California and Washington, DC.

Sources say: "For me what differentiates them is the quality of their partners and that they have their pulse on what the political landscape is like. They have a good understanding of our business needs."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Frederick Robinson is based in the Washington, DC office. He is praised by sources as being a leading practitioner whose litigation background and strong regulatory capabilities contribute to a first-class level of expertise. His recent work has included False Claims Act litigation based on Medicare reimbursement and medical device off-label promotion.

Austin-based Jerry Bell is a new addition to the table, and debuts amid extensive praise for his practice as head of the firm's health law business and regulatory department. Sources comment that "he is an absolute delight to work with, and has his finger on the pulse of everything that is going on in the healthcare industry," adding that he has "such a breadth of experience and a very practical approach to solving problems."

Debbi Johnstone is located in the Houston office and is particularly noted for being "a practical lawyer who brings a common-sense approach." Clients praise her ability to "identify the issue and arrive at a solution as well as being creative." Her transactional capabilities have in the last year seen her work with several clients on complex acquisitions within the hospital arena.  

Mark Kadzielski heads the Los Angeles health practice and is praised by industry sources for his considerable expertise in hospital and medical staff matters. His clients include Kaiser Foundation Health Plans and Blue Shield of California.

THE FIRM The healthcare team at this respected firm is considered to have a leading presence on the East Coast, with noteworthy strength in New York, Massachusetts and Washington, DC. Clients from across the industry such as academic medical centers and home health agencies benefit from a diverse range of expertise that draws on a number of former government attorneys. The team is known for its enforcement capabilities alongside its wide-reaching experience in transactional and regulatory compliance matters. Its work for client Catalyst Health Solutions exemplified the breadth of its practice and included providing regulatory counsel in the $525 million and $225 million acquisitions of Walgreens Health Initiatives and Futurescripts respectively.

Sources say: "The entire team is up to speed with the emerging changes in healthcare reform."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Washington, DC-based Hope Foster is characterized by sources as having a stellar practice and strong counseling and litigation capabilities. She is particularly praised for her expertise in fraud and abuse and reimbursement matters.

THE FIRM This leading group continues to extend its capabilities and strength across the East Coast, with a noteworthy presence in New York and Washington, DC, as well as in Chicago. It remains a recognized force in the transactional arena, exemplified by its representation of the Colorado Health Foundation in the $1.45 billion sale to Hospital Corporation of America of its equity share in HCA-HealthONE. The team can also highlight its regulatory and litigation expertise, which sees it work with clients such as Clinton Health Access Initiative. Its recent work has seen an increasing focus on the technology sector, counseling clients including Teladoc and AthenaHealth.

Sources say: "Any issue that may come up, the resources that are available to the attorney that we deal with are seemingly endless and they are not afraid to pull those resources in."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Edward Kornreich is located in the firm's New York office and is considered a leading figure for both his regulatory and transactional expertise. The last year has seen him counsel and represent clients in diverse matters such as a qui tam action alleging Medicare fraud, and the sale of hospital assets to the State.

Department head Richard Zall is also based in New York, and debuts on the table for his respected transactional practice and regulatory capacities. He is characterized by sources as "a consummate professional," who is "great - always responsive," and received praise for his extensive knowledge.

Chicago-based Monte Dube is a new addition to the table, and is considered a "well-known transactional lawyer," who is applauded by one source as "one of my top people." He works with clients such as health systems and private equity firms in significant mergers and acquisitions that take him across several states.

THE FIRM The leading healthcare practitioners at this respected firm are centered in Washington, DC and bring expertise in regulatory, litigation and transactional matters to an ever-increasing clientele. The group can draw on over 30 years' experience in the arena, and as such its practice encompasses a broad range of matters. The team is particularly fêted for its fraud and abuse capabilities, which have been bolstered with new team additions in the last year. Its strong Washington, DC presence allows it to maintain its focus on health policy matters, and it can also count on significant strength in Philadelphia.

Client Service "Their client service is amazing - fast and practical." "They are extraordinarily knowledgeable in their respective areas of expertise - their discipline is very strong, their discipline, knowledge, expertise and execution."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Washington, DC-based Christopher Keough is held in high regard for his leading regulatory practice. He remains a first choice for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement matters since his move to Akin Gump, and his litigation expertise continues to be drawn on by clients in lead cases. 

Leading regulatory presence Robert Salcido is also located in the Washington, DC office and is characterized by sources as "a False Claims Act expert who is nationally recognized." His practice includes counseling clients on fraud and abuse matters and bringing his DOJ experience to representing clients in whistle-blower lawsuits and government investigations.

THE FIRM The large healthcare team at this experienced firm is applauded for its comprehensive transactional, regulatory and public policy expertise. It benefits from a considerable number of former government members, and encompasses government investigation and legislative work in its broad capabilities. The team is mainly centered in Atlanta and Washington, DC and is highlighted by sources for its ability to represent clients in challenging and multifaceted transactions. It works with a range of industry representatives such as Pfizer, HealthSouth and Tenet Healthcare.

Sources say: "Their strengths are twofold: their technical knowledge and experience, and secondly their responsiveness - they are very responsive and timely and no excuses, they just give good advice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Steve Pottle is a key contact at the firm based in Atlanta. He has a notable transactional practice.

THE FIRM The long-established healthcare practice at this firm continues to win acclaim for its wealth of experience in a wide range of areas. Its broad coverage includes a focus on transactional matters such as joint ventures and affiliations, and also wins praise for its regulatory expertise and litigation work. It maintains its strong presence on the East Coast with particular strength in Wisconsin, New Jersey, Illinois and Washington, DC.

Sources say: "I cannot say enough good things about them."  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Washington, DC-based T J Sullivan is recommended by commentators as being "probably the most knowledgeable lawyer in the nation on issues related to the maintenance of tax exemption." He continues to garner praise for his "excellent commercial instincts" and offers clients such as hospitals both transactional and regulatory expertise.