(November 3, 2011): Liles Parker is proud to announce that Michael Cook, Esq. and Lester "Les" Johnson, Esq., have been named co-leaders for the firm's health law practice group. The firm has grown significantly since its inception in late 2006, having successfully represented over one hundred clients in various health law, Medicare appeal, compliance and business transaction matters. We have recently opened our fourth office in Baton Rouge, LA, where Les serves as Supervising Attorney. We are excited to continue to provide high-quality representation to our clients and to expand our array of legal services.
As co-leaders, Michael and Les are tasked with the responsibility to guide the health law practice group's research and marketing initiatives, assist with client contacts and representation, coordinate the group's legal focus and otherwise work closely with the Managing Members regarding health law matters.
Michael had over three decades of experience successfully representing both the government and private health care providers in health care matters and has an in-depth understanding of regulatory affairs and health care reform. He worked at the Department of Health and Human Services for many years before moving into private practice, where he advised national health care providers, including long-term acute care (LTAC) facilities and other nursing facilities. Michael has represented clients in such areas as reimbursement counseling and disputes under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, audits, litigation, fraud and abuse counseling, investigations and compliance issues (including development of compliance programs), network development and managed care contracting for post acute entities, preparation of comments and negotiations on significant rulemaking actions, serving as regulatory counsel in complex and significant transactions and acquisitions, crisis management situations, survey and enforcement, licensing and certificate of need, quality improvement, patient care, and privacy issues.
In addition, Michael has lectured extensively to a variety of industry groups, such as the American Health Lawyers Association, the Healthcare Financial Management Association, the American Health Care Association, the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, the National Subacute Care Association, the Assisted Living Federation of America, the American Hospital Association, the American College of Health Care Administrators, the American Medical Directors Association, the National Association for the Support of Long Term Care on a variety of health law topics.
Les has significant experience assisting clients navigate the regulatory, compliance and business issues facing health care providers. Les’s practice areas include handling Medicare & Medicaid appeals, health program participation and compliance, Stark and Anti-kickback Statute compliance, state self-referral prohibitions and other regulatory issues a client may face. He assists clients with operational and business issues involving hospital/medical staff relations, licensure and credentialing, health care contracting issues, mergers and acquisitions, antitrust concerns, joint ventures, and practice formation and restructuring.
Moreover, Les lectures frequently on regulatory compliance, fraud & abuse, and business issues facing health care providers. He was named a 2006 Health Care Hero by New Orleans City Business Magazine, and was also recognized by the Gillis Long Poverty Law Center for his work to help open the Lower 9th Ward Health Clinic, a free clinic opened in early 2006 in New Orleans’ flood-ravaged Lower 9th Ward neighborhood.
Please help us in congratulating Michael and Les. Should you have any questions regarding health law issues, Michael and Les can both be reached at our toll-free number, 1 (800) 475-1906. Call today for a free consultation.