EXPERIENCE

Wilke Fleury Hoffelt Gould & Birney LLP
February 2009 - present

Healthcare attorney representing healthcare service plans, health insurers and healthcare providers before state and federal regulators, and in civil litigation.  Significant litigation involving all areas of provider contracts and other payor arrangements.  Represent health plans  in licensing issues and enforcement matters before the California Department of Managed Health Care, and Medicare benefit appeals before the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.  Represent health insurers before the California Department of Insurance in similar matters.  Advise health providers regarding state and federal regulatory compliance matters including hospital staff privileges, HIPAA and  EMTALA compliance, STARK and false claims requirements.  Advise and draft contract language for health plan-provider contracts, and compliance programs for healthcare service plans.


Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP
September 2003 - January 2009

Healthcare attorney with large national law firm representing healthcare service plans, health insurers and healthcare providers in all areas of health care compliance and litigation.


Department of Managed Health Care, State of California
October 2000 - August 2003

Assistant Chief Counsel, Office of Legal Services.  Supervised the DMHC's legislative and regulatory units, and Department litigation.  Managed nine attorneys involved in drafting, analyzing, and amending legislation and regulations affecting the DMHC and the healthcare service plan industry.  Developed policy, and promulgated DMHC regulations pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act.  Represented the DMHC in enforcement actions against non-compliant health plans, and defended the Department in litigation.


Department of Personnel Administration, State of California
June 1998 - October 2000

Senior labor and employment attorney.  Trials and writ proceedings before State Superior Courts, and administrative hearings before the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the State Personnel Board and the Public Employment Relations Board.  Represented state agencies in arbitrations pursuant to collective bargaining agreements.


Mastagni, Holstedt and Chiurazzi. Labor and employment attorney
December 1992 - May 1998

Negotiated collective bargaining agreements.  Represented clients in labor arbitrations, and before California Superior and Federal Courts.  Issues litigated include: wrongful termination, age, race, disability and gender discrimination; sexual harassment; Fair Labor Standards Act and state wage and hour law.


Calypte Biomedical
August 1986 - September 1989

Molecular Biologist researching and developing bio-tech pharmaceuticals.


RELATED ACTIVITIES

Active in the Sacramento County Bar Healthcare Law Section, and the California Society for Healthcare Attorneys.  Speaker at numerous conferences and seminars on healthcare related topics.  Past Chairman of the Sacramento County Bar Labor and Employment Law Section.