SENIOR ASSOCIATE COUNSEL – BUSINESS LITIGATION & HOSPITAL OPERATIONS

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Nursing and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state's future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System's anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

General Summar

Under the limited supervision of Chief Business Litigation and Hospital Operations Counsel and other senior OGC staff, the attorney in this position provides expert legal counsel regarding all types of business litigation and hospital operations matters, with specialization in high impact defensive and affirmative litigation, complex internal and government investigations, and legislative issues impacting the business. 

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this classification.  They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

1. Serve as a legal advisor to C-Suite executives, leadership teams and management, with particular focus on litigation, investigations and legislative developments on a wide range of relevant topics.  Provide subject matter expertise on legal risk prevention and mitigation, strategic initiatives, and service offerings.
2. Represent UMMS and member organizations in connection with inquiries/complaints from federal, state and administrative agencies, developing and executing (with assistance from outside counsel as appropriate) a strategic response with a focus on the impacts to the System as a whole.
3. Independently develop, lead, and execute all facets of matter management and strategy for a portfolio of key business disputes, pre-litigation, litigation and hospital operations matters – including mediations, arbitrations, lawsuits, as well as complex internal and government investigations – with assistance from in-house paralegal and administrative resources and expert outside counsel. 
4. Direct all aspects of litigation management, reviewing and approving court filings, facilitating discovery, and driving settlement and judicial resolution efforts. 
5. Identify opportunities to prevent and avoid disputes and drive remediation of operational gaps.
6. Work collaboratively with colleagues in Legal, Compliance, Risk, Government Affairs and Communications, as well as with business stakeholders across the Systems.  In particular, partner with Government Affairs, business stakeholders, and external partners to develop strategic analyses and advocacy to influence legislation, regulations, and agency actions, to advance business goals.
7. Effectively direct, manage, and develop outside counsel in handling various legal proceedings, particularly those related to complex business disputes and investigations with the potential for System-wide impacts.  
8. Practice highly polished and effective communication, listening, and writing skills, with a focus on interaction with and reporting to senior managers and executive leadership
9. Demonstrate business acumen and understanding of the System’s strategic priorities and operations.
10. Review and evaluate federal and state law and provide sophisticated legal opinions and recommendations concerning internal programs or projects consistent with the communication standards and templates established by the department leadership.
11. Develop and deliver topical training programs for internal stakeholders.
12. Participate in and contribute positively within UMMS’s legal community. Mentor and contribute to the development of legal staff (junior attorneys, paralegals, fellows, and administrative assistants) and coordinate process, principles and practices with all attorneys in the office.

1. Develop, review, and/or revise OGC policies and procedures, to facilitate an efficient operation of the legal department, including the outside counsel management, budgeting, and billing guidelines.

Scope of Position

1. The responsibilities of this position require the individual to research, evaluate, interpret and find a range of pathways to anticipate and resolve complex problems. Further, the individual guides and advises corporate officers and managers to ensure they are fully aware of the legal ramifications of their actions and decisions and advises them as to the proper and controlling legal requirements or precedents.

1. This position impacts corporate programs and established policy through participation as legal advisor on committees developing/implementing policies, programs, and projects.

1. The individual in this position must remain current with legal issues affecting the System and the healthcare industry. The individual is accountable for ensuring that, in the event of litigation, the appropriate documents are properly prepared, maintained, updated, and executed and that competent and knowledgeable staff are involved in the process.

1. The individual acts within corporate policies and guidelines and according to the tenets of behavior of the legal profession.

 Education and Experience

1. Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited U.S. law school.

1. Admission to the bar of at least one state, preferably Maryland.

1. At least ten years of progressively responsible experience as a complex commercial/healthcare litigator required, preferably with some experience as in-house counsel.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

1. Working knowledge of healthcare legal and regulatory issues, for example: Fraud and abuse laws; HIPAA Privacy and Security requirements; Provider licensing and hospital accreditation requirements; and Medicare and Medicaid program structure and requirements.

1. Proven organizational skills.

1. Ability to provide advice regarding legal requirements in specific contexts while supporting the pursuit of operational objectives.

1. Highly effective verbal and written communication skills that enable the individual to successfully engage with medical staff, residents, executive staff, other management personnel at all levels, regulators, the media, other attorneys and the community.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Compensation:

• Pay Range: $200,000-220,000
• Other Compensation (if applicable):
• Review the 2024-2025 UMMS Benefits Guide