Chief Counsel Healthcare

About the role

An experienced attorney with a background in healthcare regulatory compliance, transactional matters, and general corporate law. This position works under the direction of the Vice President & Deputy General Counsel and supports a wide range of legal needs across the healthcare and clinical operation functions of the University, as well as its subsidiaries and affiliates.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal advice and services to healthcare and clinical units, including medical operations, counseling services, wellness programs, and affiliated practices.
• Reviews, drafts, and negotiates healthcare-related contracts, including provider agreements, clinical services agreements, business associate agreements, affiliation agreements, and equipment or service arrangements.
• Advises on compliance with healthcare laws and regulations, including HIPAA, HITECH, EMTALA, Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, state licensing laws, privacy, and billing/coding requirements.
• Assists with regulatory filings, credentialing matters, and scope-of-practice considerations.
• Supports risk management activities, including incident review, mitigation strategies, and policy development.
• Conducts due diligence and analysis related to healthcare partnerships, acquisitions, service expansions, or new clinical initiatives.
• Interface with other University attorneys on their areas of specialty as they relate to healthcare operations (e.g., employment).
• Coordinates with external healthcare counsel on specialized matters.
• Reviews, drafts, negotiates, interprets, and enforces commercial contracts, merger and acquisition agreements, and other transactions.
• Advise on contract liability, risk allocation, indemnification, and compliance considerations.
• Interprets federal and state statutes, regulations, and rules applicable to healthcare operations.
• Drafts and reviews institutional policies.
• Supports entity formation, governance, and maintenance for healthcare-related business entities.
• Provides legal services and guidance to administrators and department leadership for the University and its healthcare-affiliated entities.
• Recommends strategies for resolving issues involving business, compliance, risk management, and operations.
• Mentors para-professionals and junior staff.
• Conducts legal research and prepares legal memoranda.
• Develops training materials and delivers presentations on legal compliance topics.
• Stays informed of changes in healthcare laws, regulations, and related higher-ed trends.
• Identifies opportunities to enhance efficiency and compliance in processes.
• Works collaboratively with the legal team and supports the University’s mission.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Credentials

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Strong academic record at undergraduate and law school levels.
• Active license in good standing to practice law in Virginia or eligibility to become licensed (or able to obtain a Virginia Corporate Counsel Certificate).
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant legal experience.
• Experience advising on healthcare regulatory compliance, including HIPAA, Stark, Anti-Kickback, EMTALA, licensing, and privacy laws.
• Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating healthcare, merger and acquisitions, and other commercial contracts.
• Experience conducting due diligence review of various acquisitions and business opportunities.
• Familiarity with clinical operations, provider credentialing, billing/coding regulations, and healthcare risk management.
• Experience working with clients in regulated industries, preferably at both federal and state levels.
• Experience with corporate governance, business entity formation, and maintenance of organizational documents.

Personal

• Demonstrated walk as a committed Christian.
• Successful completion of an acceptable background check.
• Self-motivation with a strong work ethic.
• Confidence and maturity with a sense of humor and humility.
• Willingness to learn and mentor.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior in-house experience within a healthcare organization, university health system, or related environment; or prior private practice experience working in the healthcare-support practice group of a law firm.
• Experience representing hospitals, clinics, university health centers, or other healthcare providers.
• Knowledge of not-for-profit law and governance.
• Undergraduate or graduate degree in health administration, public health, business, or a related field.
• Experience with compliance programs, healthcare audits, or regulatory investigations.
• Experience with risk management or quality-improvement systems.

Abilities and Competencies

• Communication and comprehension professional demeanor.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Strong and effective drafting, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to build strong working relationships with clients.
• Demonstrated ability to work well collaboratively with other team attorneys.
• Demonstrated ability to accept corrections with grace and humor.
• Demonstrated leadership qualities and experience.
• Discretion and the ability to maintain confidences.
• Ability to prioritize and thrive in a fast-paced environment; well-organized.
• Passion for client service.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word; working knowledge of PowerPoint and Excel.

Problem Solving

• Strong critical-thinking and analytical abilities.
• Ability to assess information, evaluate risk, and propose practical solutions.
• Solutions-oriented approach.

Physical and Sensory Abilities

• Occasional travel locally and within the University campus.
• Frequent sitting, typing, and desk work.
• Regular verbal communication and interaction with clients and fellow team members.
• Occasional standing, walking, and stair navigation.
• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds.
• Willingness and ability to follow instructions accurately.