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Overview

When Texas physicians, dentists, psychologists and similar healthcare professionals face licensing and other high-stakes, career-threatening issues, they turn to Jim to set things right.

Jim helps clients navigate regulatory and licensing hurdles, and return to focusing on their professional work. He represents clients, primarily doctors, before professional boards when faced with complaints, in contested reviews when hospital privileges are at stake and in regulatory matters such as Medicare billing disputes. In instances where allegations involve alleged criminal misconduct, Jim calls on Husch Blackwell colleagues to help present the right legal response.

Jim, who began his career as a trial lawyer, also advises professionals on litigation involving disputes over non-compete agreements, physician group breakups, management agreements and other issues. With his undergraduate degree in finance, Jim always keeps economics in mind in finding creative ways to problem solve for his clients.

Industry

Services

Recognition

  • BL Rankings’ The Best Lawyers In America®
    • Best Lawyers® Litigation - Health Care "Lawyer of the Year," Austin, 2025
    • Health Care Law, 2024 and 2025
    • Litigation - Health Care, 2024 and 2025
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent

Education

  • J.D., University of Texas School of Law
  • B.B.A., University of Texas at Austin
    • with high honors

Admissions

  • Texas

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • State Bar of Texas
  • Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Texas Department of State Health Services, Medical Disclosure Panel, 2010-present
  • Travis County IOLTA Committee, Chairman, 1999-2001
Texas Bar Foundation Fellow
Experience
  • Represented healthcare professionals (physicians, dentists, physician assistants, nurses, psychologists and licensed professional counselors) in licensing board matters and peer review matters, with an emphasis on chemically dependent professionals.
  • Counseled healthcare professionals in Medicaid and Medicare fraud investigations.
  • Represented physician groups in disputes with management companies, software providers and insurance payors.
  • Advised physician groups and physician-management companies on disputes with third-party administrators.
  • Represented hospitals in business and contractual disputes.
  • Counseled businesses and individuals on resolving contractual disputes.
  • Served as lead trial and appellate counsel in Board of Medical Examiners vs. Dunn, a case involving a doctor's attempt to restore his medical license. Doctor's license reinstated despite persistent efforts to the contrary by medical board.
  • Defended hospital and purchaser in arbitration brought by seller seeking additional compensation under transaction agreements. At issue were six disputed items arising from working capital reconciliation applying generally accepted accounting principles. Seller sought more than $4.5 million in additional proceeds. Arbitrator ruled in favor of purchaser, with a net recovery of $430,000.
  • Represented about 600 physicians and 50 dentists in contested matters before respective licensing boards. Consistently obtained superior results for clients, both at informal settlement conference level and through administrative appeals to state administrative hearings.
Outside the Office

Jim loves music and Austin. He and his wife, Cathy—now empty-nesters with three grown children—together enjoy the city’s live music scene.

Jim has been a fan of the varied music Austin offers since he first arrived in 1976, following the work of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan and other noted musicians performing live in the city.

Community Leadership
  • Creek at Riverbend Homeowner’s Association, President, 2001-2003
  • Westlake Pop Warner, President, 2008-2010