Baker Donelson Adds 26 Attorneys in Major Expansion of Health Law and Litigation Practices, Grows Geographic Reach into Northeast

Baker Donelson Chair and CEO Timothy M. Lupinacci said, "A key aspect of our strategic vision is elevating our ability to serve clients as trusted advisors with industry depth and proactive counsel. This includes growth both within our existing footprint and beyond, so when we saw the opportunity to build significantly upon one of our strongest industries by adding a large group of the leading attorneys in that field who are laser-focused on exceptional client service, we knew it was the right move. As a national firm, expanding our footprint to include New Jersey is exciting, and our growth will continue to be driven by adding the right talent who share our vision."

Baker Donelson's Health Law Group has long been among the ten largest health law practices in the country, with more than 200 attorneys in 11 states and the District of Columbia serving the health care industry. This move grows the practice and deepens the Firm's experience in a number of areas of health law.

"This is a tremendous addition to our health practice," said Michaela D. Poizner, chair of Baker Donelson's Health Law and Public Policy Department. "It not only builds on our existing national practice but also deepens our capabilities in areas we've been intently focused on expanding, including private equity transactions and payor-provider litigation. The dynamic combination also adds some of the country's top next-generation health care and litigation attorneys to our team, fortifying our role as trusted advisors to health care providers for decades to come."

Among the new shareholders are Gary W. Herschman, a seasoned health care transactions attorney with extensive experience handling major strategic transactions on both the buy-side and sell-side, and Anjana D. Patel, a highly regarded legal advisor who represents clients across the health care industry and related sectors in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and related transactions, and regulatory matters. With over 25 years of collaboration together on health care transactions, Mr. Herschman and Ms. Patel bring an unparalleled depth of knowledge and strategic insight to the Firm.

Also joining as a shareholder is Anthony Argiropoulos, an accomplished national litigator. Mr. Argiropoulos has obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in awards and settlements for health care providers, including a widely reported $110 million win against a large health insurer on behalf of a national emergency care provider. He is known for his smart-aggressive approach to high stakes litigation, and he brings his entire team of litigators and professionals to Baker Donelson. Prior to joining Baker Donelson, Mr. Argiropoulos served as chair of the National Litigation Steering Committee at Epstein Becker Green.

Mr. Herschman, who will serve as co-chair of Baker Donelson's Health Care Transactions Group, expressed enthusiasm about the move, stating, "Beyond the immense value of joining Baker Donelson's premier health care practice, we are excited to be part of a full-service firm. Our clients will continue to receive top-tier health regulatory advice, and now will also have direct access to a deep bench of top-tier attorneys in critical areas such as securities, corporate and non-profit tax, health care bankruptcy, and private equity – enhancing our ability to support their evolving needs."

Ms. Patel, who will serve as managing shareholder of both the Metropark and Princeton offices, emphasized the strategic fit, adding, "We have long admired Baker Donelson's outstanding national reputation in health care. The Firm's well-established foundation, sustained growth, clear strategic vision, and financial strength make it the ideal platform to expand our national practice and enhance the level of service and value we provide to our clients."

Mr. Argiropoulos added, "Baker Donelson's energy, focus, and philosophy resonate with us. We see a world of synergies and benefits for Baker Donelson, for us, and for clients – a true win-win-win. We are proud to become part of Baker Donelson's history and its future as we plant its flag in New Jersey."

Attorneys Andrew Kaplan and Glenn P. Prives are also joining as shareholders.

Mr. Kaplan, who served as managing shareholder of Epstein Becker Green's Princeton office, is a transactional attorney who practices extensively in the secured lending, real estate, and corporate fields. His experience includes representation of borrowers in all types of financing transactions; representation of buyers, sellers, lenders, developers, and borrowers in real estate transactions; and counseling emerging and established companies on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic alliances.

Mr. Prives is a health care and corporate law attorney who represents health care clients on matters including hospital-physician alignment, private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions, strategic transactions, joint ventures, and major affiliations. He is also highly experienced in health care regulatory matters, including the Stark Law, the Anti-Kickback Statute, fraud and abuse, HIPAA, Medicare and Medicaid issues, and compliance.

Of the 26 new attorneys, 17 are joining as shareholders, two as of counsel, and seven as associates. Also joining are two paralegals and six support staff. All of these professionals are joining from the leading health law firm of Epstein Becker Green.

In launching these new locations, Baker Donelson has established temporary office space in Metropark and Princeton, and will be securing permanent office space in the coming months.

The attorneys joining, along with their practice areas and locations, are:

Shareholders

• Anthony Argiropoulos (Health Care Litigation, Princeton)
• Lauren Brophy Cooper (Health Care Litigation, Princeton)
• Maximilian D. Cadmus (Health Care Litigation, Princeton)
• William Gibson (Health Care Litigation, Princeton)
• Lisa Gora (Health Law, Metropark)
• Gary W. Herschman (Health Law, Metropark)
• Thomas Kane (Health Care Litigation, Princeton)
• Andrew Kaplan (Real Estate/Finance, Princeton)
• Laurajane Kastner (Health Law, Princeton)
• Randall H. Lee (Health Law, Metropark)
• Theodora T. McCormick (Health Care Litigation, Princeton)
• Conor F. Murphy (Health Law, Metropark)
• Anjana D. Patel (Health Law, Metropark)
• Nivedita B. Patel (Health Law, The Connective)
• Glenn P. Prives (Health Law, Metropark)
• Scheherazade A. Wasty (Health Care Litigation, Princeton)
• Sheila A. Woolson (Health Care Litigation, Princeton)

Of Counsel

• Zlata Fayer (Real Estate/Finance, Princeton)
• Allison S. Zangrilli (Real Estate/Finance, Princeton)

Associates

• Bethany A. Hickey (Health Law, Metropark)
• Annie J. Lucatuorto (Health Law, Metropark)
• Robert Lufrano (Health Care Litigation, Princeton)
• Timothy C. McHale Jr. (Health Law, Metropark)
• Natalie E. Moszczynski (Health Law, Metropark)
• Steven T. Passarella Jr. (Health Care Litigation, Princeton)
• Alec Wong (Health Care Litigation, Princeton)

Baker Donelson's growth in recent years has included expanding its presence in the Carolinas with new locations in Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina, and in Charleston, South Carolina