The firm has a long history of representing health care providers of many different specialties regarding state licensing and disciplinary actions and credentialing issues flowing from those actions.  Firm attorneys have been involved at all stages of individual representation regarding these matters, as well as participation in the rule making process on behalf of professional societies.

Currently, health care licensing and discipline is a process beginning with investigation by Department of Health investigators, followed by referral to DOH staff attorneys, and culminating in a determination of action or no action by the particular commission or board involved.  The firm represents individuals at all stages of the process, from anticipation of possible investigation through contested hearings to reverse discipline imposed by the commissions.  The firm has represented physicians, nurses, psychologists, chiropractors, pharmacists, radiology technicians, dentists, and veterinarians.  Because discipline, in this day and age, also involves reporting (e.g., the National Practitioner Data Bank), our attorneys represent professionals in contesting and correcting errors in the reporting process.

The firm places special emphasis on representation of physicians in matters arising out of the provision of care.  In addition to medical malpractice defense, the firm frequently is called upon to represent physicians in disputes regarding hospital privileging and health insurance provider plan participation.  With or without the filing of a medical malpractice suit, and regardless of whether a malpractice suit results in a verdict or settlement, physicians often find their care challenged by organizations central to the physician’s practice.  The firm has long represented physicians contesting adverse actions (most frequently limitation or termination of hospital privileges) taken by credentialing bodies or medical executive committees at the hospitals at which they practice.  With increasing frequency, the firm has represented physicians whose status as a participating provider or network provider with health insurance plans is terminated or non-renewed.  Whether the underlying allegations or concerns involve medical care in particular cases, safe medical practice, substance abuse, interpersonal relationships, or other matters, the firm has vigorously represented physicians in these potentially career-ending situations.

With one partner a former member of the Washington State Bar Association’s Disciplinary Board, and another partner a former bar examiner and special district counsel for bar investigations, the firm has also successfully represented attorneys and judges in disciplinary matters.