Accomplished attorney with more than 30 years of legal experience and extensive expertise in healthcare and hospital law, medical malpractice defense, regulatory compliance, drafting and interpreting contracts, employment law for employers, complex litigation, general counsel services for public and quasi-public entities, and in the last four years, renewable energy. Serves as head of Sutin, Thayer & Browne’s Health Law Practice Group and practice group leader for the firm’s Commercial Group.

Recognized for sophisticated counsel to hospitals, physician groups, healthcare facilities, and individual providers on HIPAA compliance, confidentiality, Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute compliance, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, credentialing, peer review, fraud and False Claims Act matters, and governmental investigations. Experienced in healthcare-and property tax related legislative advocacy, including drafting and analyzing legislation, participating in stakeholder negotiations, and providing expert testimony before legislative committees. Experienced in issues affecting public and quasi-public entities, including governing body duties and obligations and compliance with IPRA and Open Meetings Act requirements applicable to public bodies.

Named Best Lawyers® 2021 and 2027 Albuquerque Lawyer of the Year for Health Care Law and appointed by the New Mexico Supreme Court to its Ad Hoc Committee to Review the Operation of the New Mexico Medical Review Commission and the Medical Malpractice Act.

    • Continuing Legal Education presentations on a variety of legal and healthcare-related topics

    • Client training presentations addressing healthcare, compliance, risk management, and related legal matters

    • Best Lawyers in America®, Health Care Law, 2021–2027

    • Best Lawyers in America®, Albuquerque Lawyer of the Year — Health Care Law, 2021, 2027

    • Best Lawyers in America®, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, 2013–Present

    • Martindale-Hubbell® AV Rating

    • American Bar Foundation, Fellow; Life Fellow, 2022–Present

    • Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow, 2017–Present

    • Southwest Super Lawyers, Medical Malpractice Defense, 2013

    • Order of the Coif

    • Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honor Society)

    • Sutin, Thayer & Browne, Sutin, Thayer & Browne, Office Group Leader, 2023-present.

    • Ad Hoc Committee to Review the Operation of the New Mexico Medical Review Commission and the Medical Malpractice Act, Member by Appointment of the New Mexico Supreme Court, 2021

    • American Bar Association, Health Law Section, Member

    • American Bar Association, Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health Interest Group, Vice Chair, 2016-present

    • American Health Lawyers Association, Member, 2016-present

    • Albuquerque Bar Association, Member

    • New Mexico Bar Association, Health Law Section, Member

    • New Mexico Defense Lawyers, Member and Past Editorial Board Member and Co-Editor

Admissions

  • New Mexico, 1995

  • U.S. District Court of New Mexico, 1995

  • 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, 1995

Education

  • University of New Mexico Law School, 1995, J.D., summa cum laude, class rank 1

  • University of New Mexico, 1985, B.S. in Civil Engineering

Lead and advise clients in sophisticated healthcare regulatory, transactional, legislative, and litigation matters involving hospitals, physician groups, healthcare facilities, and individual healthcare professionals.

• Lead the firm's Health Law Practice Group and provide strategic counsel across a broad range of healthcare and hospital law matters.

• Serve in a leadership role within the firm's Commercial Group, overseeing and supporting matters involving complex commercial and regulatory issues.

• Counsel healthcare organizations and providers regarding HIPAA compliance, patient confidentiality, and other state and federal privacy requirements.

• Represent hospitals and physician groups in investigations by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights, including matters involving alleged HIPAA violations and discrimination.

• Draft, review, and negotiate healthcare contracts, including employment agreements and independent provider agreements.

• Advise healthcare providers regarding compliance with the Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, and related healthcare fraud and abuse regulations.

• Assist healthcare clients in defending fraud and False Claims Act matters brought by federal and state governmental entities.

• Assist clients with governmental self-reporting and negotiate settlements with appropriate governmental agencies and entities.

• Counsel hospitals regarding credentialing and peer review matters, drawing upon extensive litigation and regulatory experience.

• Serve as general counsel or outside counsel for public and quasi-public entities, including governing body obligations and duties, IPRA and Open Meetings Act compliance, and assist with getting notice of claims addressed properly under federal and state tort claims acts

• Interpret and apply state and federal laws applicable to health care and renewable energy and assist clients with initial and ongoing compliance

• Advise clients regarding the New Mexico legislative process and proposed healthcare, medical malpractice, property tax, and renewable energy, legislation.

• Draft legislation, analyze proposed bills, participate in stakeholder meetings, and provide expert testimony before legislative committees.