Chief Counsel Business Litigation

The University of Maryland Medical System is a 14-hospital system with academic, community and specialty medical services reaching every part of Maryland and beyond. UMMS is a national and regional referral center for trauma, cancer care, Neurocare, cardiac care, women’s and children’s health and physical rehabilitation. UMMS is the fourth largest private employer in the Baltimore metropolitan area and one of the top 20 employers in the state of Maryland. No organization will give you the clinical variety, the support, or the opportunities for professional growth that you’ll enjoy as a member of our team. 

General Summary

This position reports to the Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, and is responsible for providing legal counsel to University of Maryland Medical System (“UMMS”) boards, management, staff and other executives and leaders of UMMS and its member organizations in a wide range of areas where business legal issues arise, including but not limited to, audits and investigations, litigation, real estate, licensing, regulatory compliance, medical staff, credentialing, peer review, patient care, risk management, contracts and other matters.

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 the chief legal advisor to UMMS senior leadership team on all business and litigation matters.
2. Oversee and manage UMMS’ litigation docket, including developing litigation strategy, managing outside counsel, and representing the health system in litigation matters as needed.
3. Provide legal counsel and guidance on a wide range of business matters, including contract disputes, risk matters, patient care issues and compliance matters.
4. Develop and implement legal strategies to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
5. Provide legal advice and counsel on all operational matters involving a hospital, including physician relations issues, disputes, investigations and risk management.
6. Collaborate with other members of the Office of General Counsel and the UMMS executive team to develop and implement business strategies to ensure the success of the organization.
7. Manage and represent UMMS in business negotiations, audits and investigations (both internal and external), administrative hearings, mediations, dispute resolutions, arbitrations and litigation, including the preparation of court filings (e.g., complaints, answers, motions to dismiss, motions to quash, responses to interrogatories, production of documents).
8. Serve as the Office of General Counsel’s liaison to the UMMS Audit and Compliance Committee, including, but not limited to, participating in committee meetings.
9. Provide legal counsel and advice to the Boards of Directors (UMMS and UMMS member organizations), medical executive committees, senior management, and other stakeholders within UMMS especially surrounding those issues pertaining to legal and compliance risks and liability and ways to minimize both; risk management, and public policy and advocacy. Advise management of new legislation and government regulations that might affect operations. Evaluate and participate in strategic planning and determine legal postures.   
10. Represent UMMS in compliance matters initiated by state and federal agencies.  Advise the Boards of Directors (UMMS and UMMS member organizations) and management with respect to compliance with federal and state laws and regulations applicable to corporate conduct of business and clinical compliance. Work with various hospitals and business partners to facilitate compliance with federal and state regulations.  Manage and direct compliance investigations, including any outside legal counsel retained to assist with investigations, claims and litigation.
11. Manage and direct internal and external audits and investigations in subject areas as needed, including, collaborating with UMMS Corporate Compliance and Business Ethics Group on the management and leadership of such matters.
12. Collaborate with other departments within the health system to ensure legal compliance and risk mitigation.
13. Brief and develop strategy with senior management and corporate level leadership.
14. Management of proactive processes and preventative systems to mitigate risks related to litigation, investigations and other matters that create risk for UMMS and its member organizations.  Develop strategies to keep current on a wide range of best practices related to business and litigation.
15. Oversee and direct due diligence in the above areas as necessary.
16. Conduct legal research and provide opinions based on that research.
17. Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure the health system is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
18. Lead Business, Litigation & Operations Practice Group, including, but not limited to, setting agendas, coordinating practice group goals with OGC Departmental goals and mentoring practice group members. 
19. Supervises and manages associate counsel, associate staff counsel in the handling of business litigation matters.
20. Prepare and perform various legal training courses to UMMS employees, physicians and contractors, as required.

Scope of Position

1. The responsibilities of this position require the individual to research, evaluate, interpret and resolve problems quickly to participate effectively in strategic planning and problem resolution. Further, the individual guides and advises corporate boards, 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.
2. This position impacts corporate programs and established policy through participation as a legal advisor on committees whose purpose is developing/implementing policies, programs and projects.
3. The individual in this position must remain current with legal issues affecting the UMMS and the health care industry. The individual must ensure that, in the event of an inquiry, investigation, and/or litigation, the appropriate documents, contracts, agreements and procedures are properly prepared, executed and followed, and that knowledgeable staff is involved in the process.
4. The individual acts with integrity within corporate policies and guidelines, and according to the tenets of ethical behavior of the legal profession.

Education and Experience

1. Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school.
2. Admission to the bar of at least one state, preferably Maryland.
3. At least ten years of progressively responsible experience as a practicing attorney.
4. Experience working in a large, complex organization.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Proven organizational, strategic thinking and creative problem-solving skills; ability to provide advice about legal requirements in specific contexts and find ways to meet them while pursuing operational objectives ethically within legal confines.
2. Substantial experience with government investigations including but not limited to investigations by federal and state agencies.
3. Substantial experience in conducting and managing highly-sensitive internal investigations
4. Strong consensus-building skills to align diverse parties around recommendations that keep within the confines of the law but enable the organization to meet targeted business objectives.
5. Highly effective written, verbal and listening skills, including ability to understand and communicate complex legal and compliance concepts in a clear, concise, and practical manner to a variety of audiences, including Boards of Directors, committees, medical staff, management, residents, executive staff, and other personnel at all levels, regulators, the media, and the community.          
6. Proactive and innovative attorney who is well versed in the business dynamics and regulatory environment of the healthcare industry.
7. Well-developed investigation and negotiation skills that drive toward creative solutions with insight and integrity.
8. Ability to teach and train clinical and non-clinical staff by synthesizing legal concepts and applying them to practical applications in furtherance of patient safety, legal and regulatory compliance, and the health system objectives and strategies.  
9. Finely tuned legal research and analytical skills and a strong health law background.

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