General Professional Background 

Mr. Daponde is a healthcare attorney who specializes in managed care litigation and government programs. He represents some of the largest health plans in California, focusing on Medi-Cal litigation, regulatory enforcement actions, and provider disputes. In his practice, Mr. Daponde has examined and/or defended more than 100 witnesses in administrative trials, arbitrations, court proceedings, and depositions. He has experience in all phases of litigation and he has argued successfully in numerous state and federal courts. 

Areas of Current Emphasis 

Mr. Daponde’s practice focuses on disputes both against and before government agencies. He is well versed in administrative law and procedure, having litigated before agencies including the California Department of Health Care Services, the California Department of Managed Health Care, and the California Department of Insurance. In addition, Mr. Daponde has advised clients on various matters involving political law (including the laws regulating initiatives), and has helped clients challenge ballot measure language.

Representative Matters

Mr. Daponde won an appeal for a managed care client against the the California Department of Health Care Services involving the Department's improper reliance on the state budget in Medi-Cal managed care rate-setting. The Department was required to recalculate the rates without considering state budgetary constraints.

Mr. Daponde won an appeal for a managed care client awarding prejudgment interest under the Medi-Cal managed care contract.  

Education 

J.D., University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, 1999, with great distinction; Order of the Coif; Governmental Affairs Certificate; McGeorge Law Review (Staff Writer); California Initiative Review (Chief Editor/Founder) 

B.S., Syracuse University, 1989 

Professional and Civic Affiliations 

United States Army reservist (1993-2001); "Soldier of the Year" for the US Army 353rd Civil Affairs Command (1995).

East Sacramento Little League, President (2010-present) and Board Member (2008-present) 

Syracuse University Alumni Club of Northern California, President (2005-07) 

Sacramento County Bar Association, Barristers Club, Board Member (2002-04) 

Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), Member (2007-present) 

Legal Employment 

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP, Attorney (1999-2010) 

University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Adjunct Professor (2001-02) 

Presentations 

Medi-Cal and Provider Payments: Litigation Update, California Association of Health Plans (CAHP) 2010 Seminar Series, Health Plans and Our Legal Obligations, March 2010 

Litigation, Regulation, & Legislation: Pieces of the Medi-Cal Managed Care Puzzle, California Association of Health Plans (CAHP) 24th Annual Conference, October 2009 

Medi-Cal Rates: The Politics of Numbers, California Association of Health Plans (CAHP) 23rd Annual Conference, October 2008 

Personal 

Mr. Daponde lives in East Sacramento with his wife and two daughters. A native of Massachusetts, Mr. Daponde is a life-long Red Sox fan.