Healthcare: Georgia

THE FIRM The Atlanta team comprises 20 attorneys focused on corporate transactions and regulatory compliance for healthcare clients located throughout the USA, making this a truly national practice. Clients praise the team's excellent commercial awareness, client service and value for money. The firm represented Executive Health Resources in its $1.85 billion sale to Ingenix.

Sources say: "This outstanding group has diverse experience and is extremely aware of industry trends."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Donna Potts Bergeson is noted for her expertise in fraud and abuse cases. Sources say: "Donna is a good business partner, responsive and accurate." Mitch Mitchelson is an expert in defense of internal investigations and government enforcement actions, with extensive experience in the healthcare arena. Clients and peers alike think highly of regulatory attorney Michelle Williams, who is "a great communicator, thorough and easy to work with." Steven Pottle "provides practical advice which enhances a client's business." Pottle represented the specialty pharmacy company Allion Healthcare in its private merger into a subsidiary of HIG Capital.

THE FIRM This 21-strong group plays a pivotal role in King & Spalding's substantial national healthcare practice. The multidisciplinary team provides the full range of healthcare services, and is praised for its willingness to negotiate alternative fee arrangements. Clients include large hospital systems and retail pharmaceutical operations. 

Sources say: "King & Spalding's experience is head and shoulders above other firms. These attorneys constantly improve their services to meet my needs."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Glen Reed is considered a leader in the field by sources: "Glen is analytical and careful to preserve the client's best interests." Reed has taken a lead in working on the integration and consolidation of a number of different providers, as well as advising on implementing healthcare reform. Healthcare litigator Richard Shackelford focuses primarily on defending against government investigations and maintains his prowess in contentious matters. Sources hold Shackelford in high esteem: "Richard is bright, experienced and down to earth." Regulatory and transactional lawyer Robert Keenan represents national home health provider Amedisys and is the firmwide expert on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy rule. Kim Roeder has been representing hospitals and suppliers in internal reviews of physician relationships for compliance with the antikickback statute and the Stark law. Sara Kay Wheeler pleases sources with her excellent client-handling skills: "Sara responds quickly and is a great communicator."

THE FIRM The team continues to litigate major Certificate of Need matters and has been heavily involved in the acquisition of physician practices by healthcare systems. Clients of the firm include the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals and a raft of regional health systems. Sources praise the group's reasonable billing practices. 

Sources say: "Parker Hudson has a reputation for zealous advocacy and great expertise in healthcare regulatory processes." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS "Fabulous" John Parker divides his time between handling regulatory litigation and providing strategic corporate advice to senior management of hospitals. Parker receives particular acclaim from sources for his finesse in the courtroom. Armando Basarrate is noted for his expertise in handling Certificates of Need. Sources say he "is personable and takes a creative approach to his work." Head of the corporate healthcare group, Paul Hudson has negotiated acquisitions and joint venture transactions involving dialysis centers across the United States. Leo Reichert defended WellStar Health System in an appeal challenging the suspension of the staff privileges of a neurosurgeon.

THE FIRM Arnall's extensive practice encompasses matters relating to liability issues, long-term care, the FDA and regulatory and transactional considerations. Commentators make reference to the firm's continued broad base of legal talent despite Tracy Field's move in-house.

Sources say: "Provides superior legal expertise and delivers exceptional client service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Glenn Hendrix is prominent in healthcare-related dispute resolution, including fraud and abuse issues. Hedy Rubinger advises a range of providers on matters including change of ownership, regulatory compliance and Certificates of Need. Carol Saul is esteemed by her peers as "an excellent lawyer with strong expertise in the HIPAA area." Sidney Welch is nationally recognized for representing physicians and their practices, and is a regular speaker on healthcare issues.

THE FIRM  The team advised Tanner Medical Center on regulatory and Certificate of Need issues related to a major expansion project worth $63 million. The group's multidisciplinary make-up offers clients a full healthcare service, including advising on government contracts and affairs, and managing transactional matters. 

Sources say: "A strong commitment to client service applies at all levels so we feel the benefit of the firm's experience and expertise without losing out on efficient rates and smart staffing."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients praise Kathlynn Butler Polvino's understanding of business development. "Kathlynn is also a pleasure to work with because she is collegial and a natural leader." Polvino focuses on strategic planning and Certificate of Need work. Charlene McGinty is admired for her "great guidance and recommendations." McGinty has a broad regulatory and transactional practice and expertise in physician contracting. James Rawls is the engagement partner for long-standing clients Northside Hospital and DeKalb Medical Center, as well as an active commercial litigator.

THE FIRM This 15-strong group saw Jeffrey Baxter depart this year but welcomed seven lawyers from Epstein Becker & Green. The firm advises hospitals, health systems, ancillary services, hospices and nursing homes on matters ranging from litigation, governance and compliance to Certificates of Need and transaction finance.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Stanley Jones is an expert Certificate of Need litigator with additional experience in government relations work on behalf of healthcare clients. Rebekah Plowman chairs the firm's fraud and abuse practice. Plowman specializes in government investigations and litigation, handling False Claims Act matters and certification and licensure appeals. David Winkle is a highly regarded practitioner who joined the firm in 2010, and advises hospital authorities, nonprofit hospitals and physician practices as general counsel.

Since publication, Rebekah N Plowman has joined Jones Day

THE FIRM The team has garnered great experience advising healthcare systems and long-term care institutions. Areas of focus include transactional matters, regulatory issues arising under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, and compliance with the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act.

Sources say: "An excellent and well-informed team; client satisfaction and thorough resolution are the motivators at Baker Donelson."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gina Greenwood is "sharp on new regulations, passionate about her work, and flexible and responsive." Commentators also enthuse about Thomas William Baker: "He is able to provide objective insight and we place great value on his judgment." Baker maintains a regulatory focus and has amassed expertise in long-term care.

THE FIRM In additional to more traditional healthcare matters, Epstein's attorneys are adept at dealing with healthcare-related labor and employment, real estate, corporate and commercial litigation matters. The group has seen a number of lawyers depart over the past year, but stays strong, and is able to draw on a national network of lawyers if necessary.

Sources say: "The firm has an excellent perception of the business and financial impact of regulations on our organization. This efficient team has very reasonable billable hours."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Berg is a business lawyer for physician practices. "He keeps transactions moving, thinks outside the box and helps clients strategically as well as in the regulatory arena," say satisfied customers.

THE FIRM This practice runs the gamut of healthcare-related work, from medical malpractice to M&A and regulatory matters. The team is particularly praised for the depth of its physician practice experience, and recent areas of focus have included administering affiliations between healthcare systems and research consortiums.

Sources say: "Kilpatrick understands our local healthcare market, as well as national trends, and is extremely service-oriented."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources praise Phillip Street's extensive network of contacts and "vast experience in regulatory matters and physician transactions and relationships."

Since publication, Phillip Street has joined Paul Hastings LLP

THE FIRM Morris' dedicated six-partner team practices out of the firm's Atlanta and Savannah offices. Recent highlights include advising on the acquisition of two critical access hospitals and providing assistance to an integrated healthcare system in the acquisition of four private cardiology groups and corresponding employment of 80 physicians.

Sources say: "The team gives prompt, practical advice that is well worth the money. We know bills will be fair and will probably cost much less than a number of Morris' peers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Threlkeld represents hospital systems and physician practice groups in regulatory matters and business disputes. He is noted for his excellence in Certificate of Need hearings. Michele Madison's in-house hospital experience "enables her to give quick, practical advice taking into account the time pressures and stresses of the care environment." Madison specializes in compliance programs, the Stark law and antikickback statute. William Boling recently joined the practice from Smith Moore Leatherwood. An experienced transactional and regulatory attorney, he has recently handled acquisitions and other matters on behalf of his hospital and healthcare provider clients. Daniel Mohan recently arrived from Kilpatrick Townsend. He is known for his broad healthcare knowledge and focus on physician integration and affiliation-related work.

Since publication, William H Boling has joined Boling & Company

THE FIRM Clients of the firm include healthcare providers in Georgia, across the Southeast and nationwide. The team represents hospitals and pharmaceutical development companies in clinical trials, which constitute a special area of expertise for the group. The group recently acted in the $190 million sale of Carilion Consolidated Labs to Welsh Carson.

Sources say: "The expert core team in Atlanta is able to utilize further excellent resources in North and South Carolina as required to address a particular issue."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Barry Herrin played a key role in obtaining the award of a Certificate of Need for SunCrest Healthcare to initiate home health services in a multicounty region of Georgia. Tobin Watt is "well connected and a pleasure to work with." Watts advises AmCare in an innovative multistate program to support medical services in rural communities.