Attorney Recommendations
First, allow me to say up front that most attorneys are unfamiliar with the very specific issues related to residency probation and termination. I experienced this for myself, and heard many accounts of folks contacting an attorney, being given reassurance that they know exactly what to do and how to help prior to getting a $5k retainer fee. Only to rely on the resident in distress for most of the work and understanding of the situation since they have very little experience if any at all dealing with residency issues. Whether you use someone on this list or not, ensure that you are dealing with an attorney who has experience in the field before you give them your money. Please feel free to send me any recommendations if you have had experience with an attorney who is not on my list below.
California
Moscone, Elblidge and Otis LLC
I found litigation between an Orthopedic Surgeon represented by this firm and Sequoia Health Services over the revocation after an unfavorable peer review.
Andrews and Hensleigh LLC
They refer to themselves as healthcare attorneys and reside in Los Angeles. They achieved a great victory against Selma Community Hospital when they attempted what appears to be sham peer review against a successful Family Medicine/ER doctor named Brenton Smith.
Law Office of Stephen D. Schear
This attorney practices out of Oakland, and specializes in health law. I found him through the case Fahlen v. Sutter Central Valley Hospitals. Fahlen alleged that he was the victim of sham peer review after he made the hospital administration angry.
Jeffers, Mangels, Butler & Mitchell
This is a huge law firm that has been around for 30 years. Offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Orange County.
Baker, Keener & Nahra
This is a Los Angeles based firm that I found through a case where they represented a reputable skull base surgeon after his privileges were suspended under questionable circumstances.
Rosenberg, Shpall & Associates
Based out of San Francisco, health care law is one of their specialties. They list the following issues in their repertoire: Wrongful termination, Medical board accusation, Medical license/hospital privilege disputes.
Illinois
Kinnally, Flaherty, Loran, Hodge & Masur
This is a large law firm that works out of Chicago, I found them through a case from 2004 involving a doctor filing lawsuit for damages when her hospital failed to remove her from the National Provider Data Bank. She won a lot of cash.
Zimmerman Law Offices
Law office out of Chicago. Appears to be very successful, with several of his client's stories in the media. I found this group when I reviewed a case of a Family Medicine Doctor filing suit after having his credentials revoked based on some cases where his patient care was called into question.
Mathew W. Rathsack
This is a reputable attorney with a small law firm. I found him after reviewing a case from 2004 where he represented a heart surgeon who had his clinical privileges revoked.
Goldberg Law Group, LLC
This group proclaims itself 'experienced in healthcare, professional licensing, and family law.' I found them when I reviewed a case where a physician was claiming that the revocation of his privileges represented a violation of the
Whistle Blower Act.
Medical Residency Advocacy Group (** I strongly advise against using this group)
A trio of attorneys who focus on residency related legal disputes. They are licensed in Illinois, but it is possible that they can help you through a proxy in any state that you may be having an issue in. ** Proceed with caution and consider other options first. I was told that this group is rather expensive, and in the doctor felt as if she was not given much in exchange for the high costs that she paid. As of 16 June 2022, I have had a second report that this group is high on up front costs and low on productivity. Proceed with caution. As of 22 July 2022, I have had three doctors report the same pattern. I fee up front, and very little assistance or progress provided.
I left the name up on my website (I have removed others in the past) because they have a strong internet presence, and I want this information available to folks who may be looking into hiring them.
Maryland
Brown Goldstein Levy
I found them through a case involving a doctor filing suit against a hospital that rescinded her clinical privileges. They defended her very well, but she did lose the case. The judges appeared to empathize with her despite making a decision against her.
Connecticut
Click link above to go to his website. I have first hand knowledge of his talent and kindness. He worked directly with a military resident who contacted me and led her to victory in a termination hearing. She won against her residency and the GMEC overturned the termination attempt! I highly recommend his services.
South Carolina
Hinnant Medical & Law Offices
They appear to be a super force of doctor lawyers ideally suited for dealing with an issue like unlawful residency termination. It appears that they provide legal consultations to attorneys in other states, so even if you're not in South Carolina, maybe you can give them a call.
Texas
McWhorter, Cobb, and Jonshon LLP
This law group represented a medical student who was separated from Med school in his third year based on the evaluations that he received from several attending physicians evaluating him during his internal medicine rotations. He alleged racial and disability discrimination (Indian ethnicity with attention deficit). The case was dismissed, and the medical student lost, but many of the same issues at play in his case would be similar in a case of resident termination. For that reason, I believe that this is a good attorney to speak with if you believe that you need legal representation for a residency issue.
Ohio
Hammond, Sewards & Williams
This is a group working out of Columbus. I found them when I reviewed a case of a doctor being disciplined by the State Medical Board.
Graff & McGovern, LPA
"Protecting licensed professionals for over 25 years" is what they say on the website. I found them by reviewing a wrongful termination lawsuit that a surgical resident filed against Youngstown Ohio Hospital Company.
This attorney represented an Albanian woman in a lawsuit against her Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship program that refused to grant her a graduation certificate despite her completing the rotations required to graduate. She alleged discrimination and of course, the burden of proof for discrimination is, in my opinion, unreasonably high. So the case was dismissed. But this is an attorney who knows how to deal with residency issues. So for that reason, I recommend contacting him.
This fine attorney represented a female OB/GYN resident dealing with depression and residency at the same time. She asserted that she as discriminated against because she was disabled, and that she was subjected to a hostile work environment. I'm not a legal expert, but the language in the case summary that I read appears to state that she withdrew her complaint at some point. Regardless, Mr. Jonathan Bell put in the work and understands residency training and employment law. He is a good guy to call if you believe that you need legal representation.
This team represented a resident by the name of Adam Sandler, M.D. No joke. I'm sure that only added to this young man's issues. He was a neurosurgery resident and I do not think that this case is completely resolved just yet. But, the point is, these guys understand residency and can help you with your issues if you believe that you need an attorney.
Brian J.Niceswanger is an attorney at Evans & Dixon, LLC Attorneys at Law (link). From the Evans & Dixon website: He specializes in "many areas of health care law (telemedicine, risk management, contracting disputes, professional credentialing, state licensure, professional negligence, managed care). Over decades of health care practice he has represented institutions, physicians and physician groups, dentists, podiatrists, chiropractors, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses and many other health care providers in virtually all areas."
The Li Law Firm is a group that has been hired by client who contacted me in July 2022. He says that they have been helpful and effective in helping him deal with his termination
The same doctor mentioned above also hired Jeffrey L. Needle and he highly recommends his services
Copyright
© 2013 | Residency Rehab