Phylis J. Speedlin serves as a distinguished arbitrator with over 40 years of legal and judicial experience and 50 years in healthcare. She has arbitrated more than 350 arbitrations and holds board certification in personal injury law. A former Texas appellate justice and trial judge, she authored over 1,300 opinions as an appellate justice. She holds degrees in nursing, healthcare administration, and law and has received numerous accolades, including as a Diplomat of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.
Phylis brings over five decades of expertise in healthcare law and the healthcare industry to her arbitration practice. She began her career as a registered nurse in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, where she provided bedside care in neurology, oncology, orthopedics, and intensive care. She later earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration and worked as a hospital administrator before transitioning to law.
As an attorney, Phylis advised healthcare professionals and entities on medical malpractice, healthcare corporate transactions, compliance with state and federal laws, physician employment agreements, credentialing, peer review, and medical staff bylaws. She defended healthcare providers in regulatory and licensing challenges and tried over 40 cases to jury verdict, focusing on medical negligence, medical products, and physician credentialing disputes.
In her arbitration practice, Phylis has served as the chair, sole arbitrator, or a co-panel member in more than 50 healthcare disputes for the American Arbitration Association®. These disputes included payor-provider reimbursement issues, managed care disputes, 340B discount drug purchase programs, physician practice disputes, and regulatory compliance matters. Her comprehensive expertise in nursing, healthcare administration, and law positions her as a leading authority in healthcare-related legal matters.
With over 50 years in healthcare and 40 years as a lawyer and judge, Phylis J. Speedlin brings unparalleled expertise to complex healthcare disputes. We asked her how this broad experience informs her work on the AAA Healthcare Panel. Here's what she said.
Q: What types of healthcare disputes do you typically handle as an arbitrator or mediator?
Phylis: I typically handle complex financial disputes between large healthcare providers, such as hospitals, physicians, clinics, and pharmacy groups, and payors including insurance companies, health plans, or government programs. These payor-provider disputes involve issues like contract terms, payment terms, payment delays, denials, reimbursement rates, regulatory compliance, medical necessity, and alleged violations of federal and state laws. As a mediator, I serve as a neutral for medical malpractice, product liability, pharmacy, and employment contract litigation.
Q: What drew you to ADR work in the healthcare space? What do you value most about serving as a neutral on the AAA’s Healthcare Panel?
Phylis: I initially pursued nursing because I couldn’t afford college. Attending a diploma school of nursing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, allowed me to work and pay my tuition while completing the requirements to become a registered nurse. Not surprisingly, I loved everything about nursing—the medical complexities and mysteries, the medical community, and the opportunity to serve others. My passion for healthcare has only grown throughout my career.
After retiring as a Judge, I chose the American Arbitration Association because of its long commitment to excellence, fairness, and industry-specific rules. The AAA Healthcare Panel ensures that the healthcare space has qualified and experienced healthcare arbitrators who handle complex disputes effectively and impartially while prioritizing confidentiality, efficiency, and preserving business relationships.
Q: What advice do you have for parties preparing for arbitration or mediation in complex healthcare disputes?
Phylis: Prepare thoroughly. Complex healthcare disputes require a thorough understanding of each case’s unique issues, applicable law, and relevant documents. Focus on facts—not emotions—and prioritize evidence that supports your position.
Choose carefully. Understand the difference between arbitration and mediation. Arbitration is typically binding with a neutral arbitrator rendering a decision. Mediation, by contrast, is nonbinding and focuses on facilitating a mutually agreeable resolution.