Healthcare: California

THE FIRM Hooper Lundy & Bookman has served California's healthcare industry since 1987. It provides a wide range of legal services to a substantial and diversified client base, ranging from hospital systems to healthcare trade associations. The firm’s regulatory arm has been described as a go-to resource for Medicare and Medicaid issues and is recognized throughout California for its expertise in Stark and anti-kick back laws. Healthcare organizations are also able call upon the firm’s multidisciplinary Health Reform group for assistance on all issues relating to federal healthcare legislation. The transactional group also maintains a steady flow of joint venture, M&A and general commercial work.

Sources say: “An excellent boutique with a historical presence and knowledge to match." "They're very good in relation to reimbursement, regulatory work and litigation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Lloyd Bookman is described by peers as an “institution” in healthcare law. He is recognized nationwide as an expert in Medicare and Medicaid, having served as lead counsel in some of the most significant cases in this field.

Patric Hooper is an “impressive and seasoned” litigator, specializing in actions against federal and state government. He also provides counsel to healthcare organizations on the nuances of regulated industry transactional law.

Steven Lipton is famed for his hospital representation practice, which includes hospital operations, contracting, M&A and advisory work. He is, in the words of one client, an “unquestionable superstar” in healthcare law.

Robert Lundy continues to be regarded as one of California’s foremost healthcare attorneys. His broad practice is one of the best in the transactional space, where he comes particularly highly recommended. He is venerated as an “awesome legal talent” and is noted for his “strategic wisdom." 

Clark Stanton has been singled out by his peers as a “go-to attorney” for medical staff and health information privacy matters. Clients praise his “responsiveness and understanding of a wide range of issues."

Bradley Tully provides “effective and solid” counsel to a range of healthcare providers on both the regulatory and transactional side. He possesses specialist knowledge of fraud and abuse, as well as anti-kickback and Stark issues.

John Hellow heads up the firm’s “highly respected” regulatory department. He is widely renowned as a Medicare and Medicaid payment policy specialist and advises leading hospital groups, including American Hospitals.

Charles Oppenheim counts some of America’s largest healthcare companies among his clients. He is known as a leading authority on anti-kickback and Stark Law issues. One client enthuses: "He's the person I go to for California issues and for truly global visionary kinds of healthcare regulatory questions. If I have a question that's cutting edge, Charles will be the person I go to."

Paul Smith has garnered praise as a "knowledgeable and skilled" healthcare attorney. He advises clients on corporate governance and transactional needs, in addition to reimbursement and regulatory compliance.

THE FIRM This international legal giant has established a strong presence in the California healthcare market. A multitude of healthcare entities continue to seek counsel from its talented team of attorneys who are able to call upon a nationwide network of expertise. The team regularly acts on M&A, restructuring, contract negotiation and contentious matters, as well.

Sources say: “One of the top healthcare law firms, with a terrific reputation worldwide".

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Gerald Peters's broad expertise spans mergers, joint ventures and development of integrated healthcare systems. He recently advised Hawaii Pacific Health on ACO incentive plan negotiations.

Daniel Settelmayer is described by his peers as a “highly respected” and “extremely strong” healthcare attorney. His practice spans both transactional and regulatory work, representing a range of industry clients like Alargo Care, which he represented in its establishment of non-profit clinic organizations around the state.

Katherine Lauer's status as top healthcare litigator remains undisputed. Attorneys and clients describe her as a “formidable and intelligent” lawyer, highlighting her expertise in healthcare fraud defense.

THE FIRM The firm's healthcare practice touches on all areas of healthcare law, covering regulatory, transactional and litigation work. The vastly experienced attorneys advise an array of healthcare organizations, including hospital systems and medical device companies. The California team is able to tap into the firm's outstanding East Coast presence, and vice-versa, thereby offering clients unparalleled expertise that spans the country.

Sources say: "They have an extraordinarily deep knowledge of the healthcare industry and have been a great asset in all of our deals."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Eric Gordon is regarded throughout California as a "superb" healthcare attorney, known for his expertise in Stark and anti-kickback law. He provides ongoing and comprehensive advice to the University of California healthcare system. Gordon is distinguished further by being one of the few medically-trained attorneys in the field.

Ira Rappeport's largely transactional practice focuses on M&A and private equity work. He is praised for his "perceptive approach" and "exquisite ability to find paths to get deals done." One client described him, quite simply, as "my quarterback!"

Paul Lawrence offers special expertise in hospital acquisitions covering the transactional and regulatory aspects of healthcare law. He has been applauded for his "excellent client management skills" and is viewed as a "real asset to his firm."

Esther Chang continues to impress as a rising star in the healthcare field, applying her "energy and substantive knowledge" of healthcare law to both her transactional and regulatory work.

THE FIRM Davis Wright Tremaine's healthcare practice has a well-established presence in the California market and has a particularly impressive track record of advising leading hospital systems. It provides a range of services, spanning regulatory, transactional and litigation work, and continues to serve a number of high-profile healthcare entities. Over the past year, the firm has advised numerous hospitals in assessing their internal regulatory compliance issues.

Sources say: “They have an excellent range of lawyers and provide value for money."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Girard is able to call upon 30 years worth of experience representing a wide range of healthcare providers.

Terri Keville continues to attract praise as "an outstanding litigator." Clients enthuse about her "substantive knowledge of medical staff matters." 

Kathleen Drummy is an experienced healthcare attorney, whose practice provides litigation, regulatory and transactional services to a variety of healthcare providers.

Dennis Diaz is an "ever-present and "well-respected" attorney, with a noted expertise in hospital-physician matters. He recently acted as lead counsel in advising a major hospital on its contract negotiations with medical and physician groups, as well as its outside vendors.

Robert Schuchard advises on a range of corporate matters, including M&A and financing. Fellow attorneys view him as a "careful thinker and problem solver." Clients are equally pleased, saying that he "delivers every time and delivers solidly."

THE FIRM The group comprises around 50 attorneys who continue to provide advice on a range of complex and cutting-edge issues affecting the healthcare industry. Its impressive client list includes Catholic Healthcare West, Covenant Care and Blue Shield of California. The firm’s business advisory arm – Manatt Health Solutions (MHS) – helps clients to develop strategies to improve performance and growth.

Sources say: “A terrific firm, continuously motivated to act in their clients' best interests."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Gregory Pimstone has attracted high praise as a leading healthcare litigator, having been described as "articulate, personable," and able to present his client's position in a "persuasive and compelling manner." Pimstone has gained prominence throughout the industry, with one peer particularly citing his "stellar" representation of Blue Shield of California and success in guiding it through "very treacherous litigation waters."

Daniel Higgins's "broad scope of corporate and transactional skills" has helped secure his status as "major player" in the field. Catholic Healthcare West and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center are among the high-profile healthcare providers who have recently sought his expertise in relation to their complex and high-value transactions.

James Schwartz's practice focuses on advising non-profit organizations. He continues to be regarded as the "nonprofit guru" and an "undisputed expert" in this area.  

Martin Thompson is an experienced healthcare attorney, who is widely acclaimed as "the leading attorney in the antitrust arena." He brings that expertise to bear on both contentious and non-contentious matters for the team's healthcare clients

Barry Landsberg is described as a "go-to litigator" in the healthcare field. He has represented several of California’s largest providers, including Covenant Care and Kindred Healthcare.

THE FIRM Foley's healthcare practice provides counsel on a variety of matters, including transactions, regulatory advice and reimbursement issues. Many of its attorneys are former healthcare practitioners or have served in key government agencies, giving the team helpful insight into the industry. The team is well known for its ongoing representation of most of this vast state's county healthcare systems.

Sources say: “They have highly experienced attorneys who are able to work collaboratively with you from a practical, business perspective."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Denise Rios Rodriguez continues to be regarded by her peers as a "preeminent" public hospital lawyer. Over the course of her 20 years in the industry, she has developed a comprehensive understanding of Medicaid and Medicare rules. 

Michael Scarano is described as a "thoughtful attorney," known for his "substantive depth." He was healthcare counsel on American Medical Response's recent $950 million debt issuance.

Judith Waltz is a former federal government attorney, known for her expertise on Medicare compliance issues, which she applies in internal and government investigations. Clients are quick to heap praise on her, describing her as "extremely responsive, easy to reach, and incredibly intelligent."

Carl Weissburg remains a highly respected and extremely popular healthcare attorney. His years of experience allow him to provide in-depth advice on compliance and transactional needs.

THE FIRM This firm’s healthcare practice group has a long history of providing litigation, transactional and regulatory advice to the California healthcare industry. It continues to provide ongoing counsel to clients like Palomar Pomerado Healthcare, Blue Shield of California and Eisenhower Medical Center.

Sources say: “Fulbright's healthcare group comprises talented attorneys, who can offer a wide range of services."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Mark Kadzielski heads up the firm's LA healthcare practice. Described as an "excellent lawyer," he provides multifaceted representation to hospitals, healthcare providers and other industry participants. His regulatory skills are among the best in the market. 

THE FIRM Hanson Bridgett's healthcare practice has been advising California's healthcare organizations for over 50 years. It serves a broad client base, including hospital systems and physician groups. The team regularly advises its clients on licensing, reimbursement, transactional support and contentious advice.

Sources say: “When you work with one lawyer at Hanson Bridgett, you expect the same level of responsiveness and professionalism from his or her co-worker and that is exactly what you get. Every individual has delivered and it is why Hanson Bridgett is our go-to firm."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Joel Goldman is well known for his experience in advising hospitals and senior care facilities. He maintains "tremendous relationships" with healthcare providers and continuously has "his finger on the pulse of the issues affecting industry." Clients say "he is always there for you at the drop of a hat and provides excellent guidance."

Paul Gordon has been influential the development of assisted living legislation in California and nationwide. He continues to provide "outstanding" advice to senior housing and long-term care providers on a wide variety of matters, including corporate and tax matters, in addition to regulatory compliance. One client says he is "outstanding when it comes to issues about fair housing and continuing care retirement communities."

Steven Schnier is recognized throughout California for his strong advisory practice. He has particular expertise in peer review and credentialing issues.

THE FIRM Jones Day offers an integrated team of healthcare attorneys, spread across four offices in California. Clients not only appreciate the firm’s regional and national expertise, but frequently benefit from its ability to capitalize on its global strength. Demonstrating its breadth of expertise, the team's recent work includes advising Loma Linda University Medical Center on JVs, financial restructuring, internal governance and contracting issues.

Sources say: "They truly have global, full-service capabilities."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  James Dutro is "well respected" amongst fellow healthcare attorneys, who remark on his reputation for producing "high-quality" work. Clients praise his ability to "identify potential problem areas and find solid solutions." He lately represented City of Hope as transactional counsel in developing City of Hope Medical foundation.

Catherine Ehrgott is a "well-regarded" healthcare attorney, able to call upon 15 years experience. She was the lead attorney on the aforementioned work for Loma Linda University Medical Center.

THE FIRM This firm’s healthcare practice prides itself on providing cutting-edge advice to a broad range of healthcare providers. The team is able to leverage off of impressive array of internal resources to provide its clients with advice on all of their needs, including M&A, funds work, tax and regulatory compliance.

Sources say: “An excellent firm, made up of intelligent and engaging lawyers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  James Owens has garnered an "excellent reputation" for his work with hospitals and nonprofit medical foundation clinics. Clients are particularly impressed with his "calm, collected and reassuring" demeanor.

Paul Gomez is a "knowledgeable and responsive" healthcare attorney, whose broad practice covers both the transactional and regulatory aspects of the healthcare industry. He is noted for his "committed and hard-working" approach in helping his clients to achieve their objectives.

Gayl Westendorf's promotion to Senior Statesman category will come as no surprise. Well respected amongst his peers, this vastly experienced corporate lawyer has won plaudits for executing a range of transactions for a multitude of businesses in the healthcare industry.

THE FIRM The firm’s healthcare team has established a reputation for producing consistently high-quality work. Its talented and hard-working attorneys assist a number of major California healthcare organizations, like Group Health Cooperative, helping them to meet a variety of business and regulatory challenges.

Sources say:  "An excellent firm with good, talented people who have a strong work ethic when it comes to supporting their clients."

KEY INDIVIDUAL John Chesley has attracted praise for his "calming style" and ability "to find the middle ground in a negotiation without compromising the guiding principles of the client."

THE FIRM This group deploys 31 members across four California offices, assisting public and private healthcare systems, hospitals and physicians. With an attorney bench containing former state representatives and qualified medical practitioners, Nossaman is able to combine hands-on knowledge of the legislative process and medicine with legal expertise to offer practical solutions to its clients.

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Ann O'Connell has been described as "the epitome of professionalism," providing clients with "a wealth of experience and legal expertise" in a variety of healthcare matters. Fellow attorneys are quick to highlight her "thoughtful" approach and renowned expertise in the medical staff arena.

Richard Spohn is a "very well respected" healthcare lawyer. As well as heading up the department, he is currently helping MediExcel Health Plan prepare a Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan.

THE FIRM Sheppard Mullin has impressed in recent years following its representation of some of the largest integrated physician groups in California. It has also attracted praise for its expertise in hospital transactions and is distinguished further by its innovative healthcare information technology practice.

Sources say: “Their healthcare team is responsive and solution-oriented, providing excellent client service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Kenneth Yood is known throughout California for his expertise in regulatory compliance and reimbursement issues. Described as a "great strategist," he recently acted as healthcare regulatory counsel to Genoptix in its $470 million acquisition by Novartis.

Practice head and "good negotiator" Eric Klein continues to be involved in major healthcare transactions. He recently represented Centers For Family Medicine when it was purchased by an affiliate of OptumHealth Holdings.