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"Joseph has the agility to work on transactions and to be a trusted adviser on regulatory matters too."

Chambers USA 2023

Overview

Through more than two decades working with healthcare clients, Joe has come to respect their sense of purpose, passion and mission.

When Joe began his legal practice as in-house counsel for a psychiatric hospital system, he dealt firsthand with the challenges of healthcare operations that his clients face daily. While home health agencies, physicians, hospitals and health systems focus on healing, Joe sorts through the nuts and bolts of their operations to help his clients make sense of the industry's complex regulations. He is board certified in health law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and brings this in-depth background to his legal and business solutions.

Clients have come to rely on Joe to help resolve payment and reimbursement disputes and answer their compliance questions. He has created models to integrate physicians into larger healthcare systems and has guided home health agencies, physicians organizations, hospitals and health systems through the intricacies of mergers and acquisitions.

Joe has also co-authored a treatise on Medicaid that discusses the regulatory landscape surrounding enhanced and special reimbursement programs. He speaks frequently at industry conferences, including the Institute on Medicare and Medicaid Payment Issues.

"Joseph has the agility to work on transactions and to be a trusted adviser on regulatory matters too."

Chambers USA 2023

Industry

Services

Recognition

  • Austin Monthly magazine, Top Austin Attorney, Health Care Law, 2019-2024
  • BL Rankings’ The Best Lawyers In America®
    • Health Care Law, 2021-2025
  • BTI Consulting Group
    • Client Service All-Star Award, 2020
  • Chambers USA
    • Healthcare, 2005, 2007-2024
  • Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer, 2024

Education

  • J.D., University of Tulsa College of Law
    • Energy Law Journal, Articles Editor
  • B.A., University of Texas at Austin

Admissions

  • Texas

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • American Bar Association, Health Law Section
    • Council Member-at-Large, 2025
    • Sponsorship Committee, Co-chair, 2023-2024
    • Emerging Issues in Healthcare Law Conference, Vice Chair, 2023-2024
    • Annual Conference on Emerging Issues in Healthcare Law, Committee Vice Chair, 2020
    • Washington Health Law Summit, Co-chair, 2018-2019
    • Programs Executive Leadership, Vice Chair, 2018-2019
  • American Health Law Association
  • Austin Bar Association, Health Law Section, Former Treasurer and Chair
  • Board Certified in Health Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
  • State Bar of Texas, Health Law Section; Council Member, 2020 - 2024; Secretary, 2024
Experience
  • Assisted hospitals, health systems and physician networks through a series of mergers and acquisitions.
  • Advised multiple acute, long-term care and psychiatric hospitals facing allegations of violating Joint Commission standards, Medicare Conditions of Participation and state licensing regulations. Drafted plans of correction and represented providers in administrative appeals.
  • Represented hospitals and physicians working through complex integration models including development of captive networks, physician hospital organizations, provider-based outpatient clinics and accountable care organizations.
  • Counseled hospitals and other providers on affiliating with governmental entities to draw down federal matching funds under Texas’ Medicaid waiver program.
  • Advised clients on “provider donation” rules, Stark, Federal anti-kickback, civil monetary penalties, False Claims Act and related state laws.
  • Represented providers in recovering underpayments from managed care companies and negotiating new participating provider agreements.
  • Advised providers in multiple states on performing internal compliance investigations, including self-disclosures.
  • Aided hospitals and physician groups in drafting and negotiating coverage agreements, co-management agreements and medical director agreements.
  • Represented startup healthcare companies in obtaining proper licenses, venture capital funding and drafting private placement memorandums.
Legal Updates | August 18, 2020
HHS Reporting Requirement Delay Continues
Media Mentions | August 02, 2021
Austin Monthly: Austin's Top Attorneys 2021
Media Mentions | July 28, 2020
Austin Monthly: Austin's Top Attorneys 2020
Outside the Office

Joe’s life away from the office belongs to his wife and their six children, who range from toddlers to teens.

Much of his family time involves a whirlwind of activities centered on the kids’ school, St. Theresa Catholic Church in Austin and weekend trips to youth sporting tournaments.

Community Leadership

Joe’s community leadership dovetails with his professional focus. 

He has served as commissioner of the Austin Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities, chairman of the Austin State Hospital volunteer services board and board member of Mental Health America. He also is active in his parish, St. Theresa Catholic Church in Austin.

In-House Counsel Experience
  • Assistant General Counsel, Brown Schools, Inc. (later acquired by Psychiatric Solutions, Inc., and then by Universal Health Services, Inc.), 1998-2000