Healthcare: Massachusetts

THE FIRM With 15 attorneys in Boston and additional healthcare teams across the country, this firm has the depth of resources to represent large healthcare clients locally and nationally. Its expertise spans M&A, joint ventures, regulatory, compliance and litigation matters, and it acts for an impressive range of clients, including Partners HealthCare, Trinity Health and Wellpoint.

Sources say: "The attorneys really make us feel like a priority client, and are deal-makers not deal-breakers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Interviewees single out Michael Blau as "an extremely talented lawyer," highlighting his "unequalled knowledge of healthcare matters and strong business mind." He has significant experience in transactional matters related to hospital-physician relations.

Lawrence Vernaglia chairs the firm's national healthcare industry team, and enjoys a particularly strong reputation for his advice to hospitals and academic medical centers on regulatory issues. As one client comments: "He is excellent at putting regulations into practical terms so the client can better understand regulatory risks and how to address them."

Sources note that Mark Waxman fulfils the role of both "a responsible business counselor as well as an excellent lawyer." He handles a broad range of healthcare-related work, although is best known for his antitrust expertise. In one recent matter, Waxman advised Trinity Health on the acquisition of Loyola University Medical Center.

Alan Einhorn "has a great depth of knowledge and is really attentive to his clients' needs," comment observers. He acts as general and special counsel to a number of New England community hospitals, including Calais Regional Hospital and Mercy Hospital. 

Senior statesman Lawrence Litwak has a highly accomplished practice representing nonprofit, for-profit and government clients on regulatory matters and healthcare transactions.

THE FIRM This firm retains one of the preeminent healthcare practices in the state, with interviewees commending its long-standing commitment to the healthcare industry in Boston and beyond. It is especially sought after for transactional work, and recently advised Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary on an affiliation agreement with Schepens Eye Research Institute. Other areas of expertise include regulatory, investigations and disputes advice.

Sources say: "The firm is very responsive, has great technical knowledge and really understands the strategic issues that clients face."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "highly experienced" Stephen Bernstein enjoys enormous respect, both in Massachusetts and nationwide, for his health information technology and data protection expertise. In one recent work highlight, he advised Cardinal Health on its multimillion dollar acquisition of a specialty care information technology company.

Boston practice leader Christopher Jedrey is described as an "incredibly knowledgeable" attorney and an "excellent negotiator." He focuses on M&A, joint ventures and other health-related business transactions, and recently acted for Steward Health Care on the sale of Caritas Christi to a private equity firm.

Sources endorse Charles Buck as "an excellent strategic thinker," well equipped to handle the more complex healthcare transactions and joint venture matters. He continues to advise Dana-Farber Cancer Institute on its partnership with a number of accountable care organizations.

THE FIRM Ropes & Gray is a firm deeply embedded in the healthcare sector, having worked in the field for over 40 years. The Boston office is considered a go-to practice for academic medical centers, health systems and community hospitals seeking advice on a wide range of transactional, regulatory and litigation matters. In one recent highlight, the firm advised Pfizer on strategic partnerships with two international clinical organizations. Other notable clients include Partners HealthCare System and Johnson & Johnson.

Sources say: "Ropes & Gray has a very good feel for the industry and offers excellent practical advice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The highly experienced Michele Garvin is widely seen to be "one of the best" in the market. Sources particularly highlight her nationally renowned regulatory practice, which encompasses general compliance and governance issues.

Eve Brunts has an excellent track record as an efficient and responsive lawyer. She recently advised nonprofit healthcare system Caritas Christi on the managed care contracting issues that arose during the sale of a large proportion of its assets to the for-profit health system Steward Health Care.

Nancy Forbes is a "fine attorney" noted for her strong pragmatic approach. She acts for a core client base of academic medical centers, children's hospitals and multi-provider systems on mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures.

William Knowlton is "tremendous on healthcare work, and provides leadership qualities that permeate the strength of the practice as a whole." He focuses on corporate transactions and regulatory matters, at both state and federal level.

Anne Phillips Ogilby has a deep knowledge of tax-exempt and taxable financings in the healthcare sector. "She is really attuned to the philosophy of her clients, and able to pick up on issues we might have missed," says one client

THE FIRM The Boston office of Mintz Levin houses ten healthcare attorneys with a well-rounded practice in the sector, regularly advising on transactional, regulatory and compliance and litigation matters. The team receives praise for its excellent practical knowledge and astute understanding of its clients' individual business needs. Clients include the Massachusetts e-Health Institute, Quincy Medical Center and Winchester Hospital.

Sources say: "The attorneys have very good insight into and relationships with the regulatory agencies, are very responsive and can provide a broad range of services."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Stephen Weiner is widely recognized as a "first-rate" attorney and chairs the firm's healthcare practice. He has vast experience in handling mergers, acquisitions and strategic affiliations on behalf of healthcare service providers, and recently advised Beacon Health Strategies on its acquisition of various behavioral health managed care plans.

The "hard-working and diligent" Deborah Daccord is "excellent at keeping the client informed about what is going on," say sources. She focuses on transactional and financing matters, and counts DaVita as a key client. 

Ellen Janos is an "accessible and knowledgeable" attorney praised for her excellent communication skills. She recently represented CVS Caremark in an investigation by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office into claims submitted under a workers’ compensation insurance program.

The highly regarded Thomas Crane has core expertise in fraud and abuse matters, including defense, compliance advice and whistle-blower allegations.

THE FIRM This boutique firm continues to be a strong presence in the healthcare market in Massachusetts. The team undertakes the full range of healthcare work for a diverse client base, and has considerable expertise in physician group representation.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Lianne Ankner is noted for her ability to handle complex regulatory issues, as well as transactions and patient care matters. 

Sally Levy is also held in high esteem for her broad practice, which includes advising clients on policy writing, employment agreements, mergers and healthcare privacy issues.

THE FIRM This team handles a wide spectrum of healthcare matters, from Medicare and Medicaid coverage and reimbursement regulations to corporate transactions. It has a particularly strong reputation for its advice on government strategies and investigations.

Sources say: "Many of the firm's partners have held positions in government. They have a very realistic, real-world perspective and are also able to facilitate meetings on issues almost immediately, because they have those good working relationships in place."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Thomas Barker moves up in the rankings this year having attracted widespread praise from market sources: "He really understands the intent behind regulations, thereby bringing significantly greater depth to his analysis," asserts one interviewee. Barker has core expertise in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement issues.

Colin Zick is noted for his work on compliance issues, and regularly advises pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, practitioners and provider organizations on both administrative proceedings and litigation.

THE FIRM This well-regarded healthcare team offers a range of expertise, and a multidisciplined approach to address its clients' needs. The practice covers both transactional matters and regulatory and compliance issues.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Carolyn Jacoby Gabbay is endorsed as a "fine attorney" with a particularly strong practice in payment systems and reimbursement issues.

Regina Rockefeller is held in high regard for her representation of physicians on both disciplinary matters and integration issues. She is also sought after for her expertise in M&A.