Current Involvement

February 2020 to Present

San Diego, California

Currently involved in special projects as attorney and advisor to a variety of clients within the health care and general business industry. Projects include M&A, strategic relationships, complex contracting and vendor relationships and disputes, startup enterprise and university licensing, legal function management.

Partner Foley & Lardner

Feb 1994 - January 2020 (Retired)

26 years

Washington D. C., Boston, San Diego

Practice with an emphasis on business, governance and health care representation, including representation of large commercial health plans, major health care systems, medical groups, individual physicians and other providers in a broad range of business operations, merger and acquisition and other health care industry related issues.  Expertise in transactions, managed care, governance, vendor relationship, physician medical staff and employment, and relationship issue resolution. Trials in state and federal courts, as well as arbitration of claims.

General Counsel Verity Health Care System

Feb 2016 - Mar 2018

2 years 2 months

Redwood City, California

General counsel to the Verity Health System as it sought a turnaround from its distressed status. Included building legal department, addressing legal, governance, claims, system issues as general counsel.

President and General Counsel CareGroup Health Care System

Feb 2000 - Mar 2005

5 years 2 months

Boston, Massachusetts

Service as President and General Counsel of the CareGroup Health Care System navigating a financial turnaround and governance reorganization.  Activity included recapitalization, divestitures, governance reorganization, regulatory and finance issues, and ongoing issues in the operation of a complex health care delivery system. Created and built the Office of General Counsel.

Partner Weissburg & Aronson

Oct 1978 - Feb 1994, 15 years 5 months

Los Angeles County, California, United States

Litigation of issues for plans, providers, suppliers, and other health care industry participants. Jury and non-jury trials in state and federal courts, as well as arbitrations. General counsel to California Association of Health Care Facilities. Matters included antitrust jury trial to a verdict and Ninth Circuit Appeal, 100 session arbitration of managed care contract, payment, fraud and related issues before three judge panel, medical group and medical staff related issues.  

U. S. Supreme Court counsel and numerous reported appellate decisions.

Assistant United States Attorney Central District of California

U.S. Department of Justice

Oct 1974 - Sep 1977

Los Angeles, California, United States

Assistant United States Attorney. Special emphasis on representation of governmental agencies in litigation including HUD, FDA, CPSC, SBA, HHS, Post Office and other federal agencies. Multiple trials and appeals.

Wells Fargo Realty Advisors

July, 1973 – September, 1974

Associate General Counsel

Representation of a real estate investment trust (REIT) in multiple transactions around the United States.

Education

  • University of California, Berkeley
    J. D. Law
    1970 - 1973
    Articles and Book Reviews Editor, Ecology Law Quarterly
  • UC San Diego
    Bachelor's degree, Economics, Summa Cum Laude
    1966 - 1970

Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution, Mediation: The Art of Facilitating Settlement

2020 - An interactive training program in the use of mediation.

American Health Law Association, 2021 Health Care Arbitration Training

Board of Director Experience

  • Chairman, Venice Family Clinic
  • Chairman, Picker Institute
  • Bet Tzedek Legal Services
  • Alternative Living for the Aged
  • Thalians Community Mental Health Center
  • American Health Lawyers Association
  • Controlled Risk Insurance Company (CRICO)
  • La Jolla Institute for Immunology (Chair Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee)

General Counsel Experience

  • Associate General Counsel, Wells Fargo Realty Advisors (REIT Manager)
  • General Counsel, CareGroup Healthcare System
  • General Counsel, Verity Health System
  • (Retained) IGEM (Institute for Genetically Engineered Machines)

Trade Association Representation Experience

  • California Associate of Health Facilities
  • California Association of Medical Product Suppliers
  • United Hospital Association
  • Federation of American Hospitals
  • Synthetic Biology Industry Association

Mentoring Experience

  • MIT Venture Mentor Service
  • UCSD, Rady Business School, DRIvE Mentor Program Founder
  • Chairman’s Round Table (San Diego)
  • SCORE Mentor