Healthcare: New York

THE FIRM This diverse practice has the breadth and depth to represent the full range of healthcare industry clients. Its top-drawer healthcare and life sciences practice brings substantive expertise in all areas of healthcare law, including transactional, regulatory, compliance and litigation matters. The group recently successfully defended hospitals facing the possibility of being excluded from Medicaid.

Sources say: "They are extremely responsive, so we never need to wait - this really makes us feel like valued clients."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jeffrey Becker is "a guy you really want on your side. He is incredibly diligent and always prepared." His practice is focused on providing strategic advice and transactional representation, and he has recently been assisting hospitals with their regulatory compliance. Wendy Goldstein concentrates on fraud and abuse as well as government healthcare program matters. "She really understands the intersection between legal and business. She is also highly available and responsive." Beth Essig is "incredible on regulatory matters." She is currently representing four academic medical centers and a number of hospitals in connection with a government investigation of pharmaceutical and hazardous waste disposal practices.

THE FIRM This widely acclaimed group brings business savvy to its legal work, and is known for its sophisticated transactional practice. M&A is its true forte, but the team is increasingly involved in compliance and regulatory matters. Its roster of longstanding clients continues to expand, with major clients including Greater New York Hospital Association and Clinton Health Access Initiative.

Sources say: "I find them incredibly responsive and creative as well as tremendously professional. I would certainly recommend them to others."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Edward Kornreich is considered "one of the big guns in New York." His primary focus is on healthcare transactions, regulatory compliance and healthcare payment issues, for both nonprofit and for-profit providers. His work has had a strong focus on litigation of late, and he recently secured a preliminary injunction from the New York County Supreme Court on behalf of Continuum Health Partners. "He is bright and experienced - an excellent attorney." Richard Zall chairs the group. Clients praise him as "incredibly thorough, creative and strategic in his thinking." He represents a wide range of healthcare and life sciences clients on transactional and regulatory matters, "always meeting the clients' deadlines and needs." He recently represented Beth Israel Medical Center on the acquisition of a large cancer treatment center previously operated by St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Centers.

THE FIRM With 18 attorneys spread across its New York City and Albany offices, Greenberg Traurig maintains its strong foothold in the New York healthcare marketplace. In addition to its highly acclaimed focus on managed care, the group handles acquisitions, joint ventures, private and public offerings and other deals for national and regional clients including Health Net, UnitedHealthcare, and Jewish Home Lifecare. Its national reach enables it to access information in other jurisdictions for its local clients.

Sources say: "Their knowledge of, and experience in, working within the New York regulatory system for health plans and health insurers is deep. I would recommend them without reservation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Harold Iselin focuses on governmental affairs and healthcare matters, and also handles complex litigation. He is universally praised as "one of the best healthcare lawyers in the state," with one observer noting that he is "the managed care HMO lawyer of choice in upstate New York." His cutting-edge work has recently involved working with 'dual eligibles', those eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Francis Serbaroli has "extensive experience in dealing with fraud and compliance issues," and is also deeply knowledgeable on general corporate matters, transactional work and litigation. He has represented various clients in audits and investigations brought by the State Office of Medicaid Inspector General. Tricia Asaro focuses on Medicaid managed care, compliance and contracting. "Her knowledge and expertise of the program, contract and rate-setting process are strongly valued," said one source.

THE FIRM Hogan Lovells' compact group in New York may not be as dominant as its Washington, DC counterpart, but it is still a force to be reckoned with. It is known for representing hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies and pharmacies in audits and investigations in the healthcare industry. It also has strong transactional and regulatory capabilities, and often represents universities.

Sources say: "Great people, great value - and a flexible and responsive service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jeffrey Schneider leads the New York practice, and has a broad practice that covers transactional and regulatory work as well as litigation. "He brings a business edge to issues, and is impressive at risk analysis. He will work 24/7 to resolve problems if they ever arise." He continues to represent The State University of New York, most recently on a range of transactional matters.

THE FIRM This team is among the best in the state for healthcare litigation. The group is lauded for its extensive Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement expertise, and regularly serves large local and national healthcare systems and hospitals. It is also experienced in False Claims Act cases, having recently negotiated one of the largest False Claims Act settlements in history on behalf of the New York City Department of Education.

Sources say: "For Medicaid litigation, this group is as good as they come."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Nadel is noted for his "breadth of experience and incredibly good judgment." Sources praise him as one of the best healthcare litigators in the state. An expert on Medicaid-related impact litigation, he also handles transactional work for various providers. Joseph Willey's practice is strongly focused on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement issues, and he has recently expanded his expertise to cover the area of physician discipline. "He is the best attorney I have ever worked with on regulatory and reimbursement matters," enthused one source.

THE FIRM This group has deep knowledge of the state regulatory environment, and is also lauded for its transactional strength. It was recently involved in the acquisition by a private equity company of a nonprofit Catholic health system, a matter representative of the group's cutting-edge work. Clients also benefit from its sophisticated insight into the ongoing developments in the area of electronic healthcare records and healthcare IT. Large clients include GE Capital and New York eHealth Collaborative.

Sources say: "The team led us every step of the way, providing brilliant support and expertise."

KEY INDIVIDUALS William Bernstein is "incredibly knowledgeable about the development and evolution of IT and healthcare, both from a legal and practical standpoint." He chairs the firm's healthcare division and is praised as someone who "really understands how policy interacts with the law." Robert Belfort cochairs Manatt's privacy and security practice. He recently served as legal and regulatory compliance counsel to Project HealthDesign's personal health record program. "He is a pleasure to work with. Extremely responsive, professional, experienced and creative." James Lytle debuts in the table, having been universally endorsed by market sources. Based in Albany, he leads the firm's reimbursement policy practice. Observers note his "integrity, depth of knowledge, and analytical ability."

THE FIRM This expanding group enjoys a solid presence in the state with offices in Albany, Long Island and New York City. Its strong bench of attorneys, many of whom have experience working for the state and federal governments, serve a range of clients including hospitals, nursing homes and academic medical centers. Although the group is particularly noted for its transactional strength, its expertise spans all areas affecting the healthcare community.

Sources say: "In the New York marketplace there are only a few healthcare firms that retain broad and deep expertise - this is one of them." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Millock focuses on affiliations and networks of physicians, hospitals and other providers, as well as on regulatory and enforcement matters. Sources describe him as a "brilliant and unbelievably skilled attorney," and one client noted: "He is invaluable to us." Susan Robfogel is "simply top notch for any healthcare-related employment issue." She serves hospitals and other healthcare providers, and is particularly knowledgeable in the area of sexual harassment in the workplace. James Fabian's broad practice includes hospital governance, Medicare and Medicaid, and healthcare litigation. Sources say: "He is experienced, professional, smart and practical." Michele Masucci heads the group. Her regulatory practice is "well rounded and respected," and market commentators are particularly impressed with her "broad-based clientele."

THE FIRM Ropes & Gray is a force to be reckoned with in the New York marketplace. Clients note its competency in a wide range of healthcare issues including M&A, regulatory, due diligence, and fraud and abuse. Its strong nationwide foothold allows it to serve both local and national clients ranging from the largest integrated delivery systems to standalone community hospitals. Major clients include Pfizer and Community Health Systems.

Sources say: "Highly professional, knowledgeable, accessible and tremendous at what they do."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Stephen Warnke continues to advise IASIS Healthcare Corporation on a range of compliance and regulatory matters. Clients "can't praise him enough," while peers are more than happy to refer work to him.

THE FIRM  This strong group primarily advises healthcare providers, and is particularly noted for its work for long-term care providers. It covers areas from transactional work to litigation, and has been increasingly involved in compliance and enforcement work. The team often works on large multistate projects together with attorneys from its DC and Los Angeles offices.

Sources say: "I think the healthcare group is outstanding - the firm as a whole has a reputation for recruiting and retaining strong attorneys."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Connie Raffa can draw on over 30 years' experience in the industry, and is an expert on end-of-life care. Clients are full of praise for her, one noting her "passion about getting good healthcare to the right people at the right time." Michael Blass has a strong corporate transactional practice and has also been involved in regulatory matters.

THE FIRM This group is widely acknowledged as a leader in the New York nursing home arena. Its attorneys have been increasingly involved in compliance and regulatory counseling, and also uphold significant strength on the litigation side.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Brian McGovern represents clients in the provider community on a range of issues, and he is particularly noted for his fraud and abuse expertise. He recently obtained a favorable ruling by the Administrative Law Judge invalidating an industry-wide Medicaid audit initiative by the New York State Office of Medicaid Inspector General.

THE FIRM This niche practice offers a wide range of services to meet every need of its healthcare industry clients, who also benefit from its competitive fee structures. The team mainly serves large healthcare providers such as hospitals and managed-care providers. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Founding partner Robert Andrew Wild is a highly respected force in the marketplace. "He is tremendously knowledgeable and clients love him," say sources.

THE FIRM This firm has offices in Albany, Buffalo and New York City. Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement work is its true forte, but the team also skillfully handles transactional matters. Clients include nursing homes, hospitals and drug manufacturers.

Sources say: "Overall, the team is extremely professional, detailed, and knowledgeable in this field."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ellen Weissman heads the group and is "extremely knowledgeable in reimbursement and New York regulatory issues." She represents providers in Medicare and Medicaid audits and investigations conducted by fiscal intermediaries, the Office of the Inspector General of HHS, and the New York Office of the Medicaid Inspector General. "She has a thoughtful individualistic approach and doesn't always adopt the common wisdom - this is a distinctive advantage."

THE FIRM This group has recently expanded and now houses four partners and four associates. It serves a variety of healthcare clients, ranging from managed-care organizations and medical schools to medical equipment suppliers. Strong on the transactional side, it also has expertise on white-collar defense and accreditation. The group recently advised the now closed St. Vincent's Catholic Medical Centers on the transfer of its graduate medical education programs.

Sources say: "Great firm - excellent representation of our organization."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Roth is widely acknowledged for his expertise in compliance issues and also has a transactional practice that covers M&A and joint ventures. "He has broad experience and gives very practical advice on medical staff matters." Brian Platton recently joined the group from Epstein Becker & Green, and is "smart, detail-oriented, and extremely dedicated to his clients." He is particularly strong on transactional matters, with additional expertise in regulatory healthcare law.