For two decades, Robert represented a major hospital system and managed care company in complex litigation and arbitration matters across the healthcare industry. A former federal prosecutor and long-time chair of his law firm’s litigation area, he brings extensive experience with and deep insight into identifying, analyzing, and managing complex, cutting-edge issues. During his tenure in private practice, Robert was consistently recognized by Chambers USA for excellence in commercial litigation.
Q. Tell us about your background in healthcare law, the healthcare industry, or your time on the bench handling healthcare-related cases.
For the 20 years before I retired from leading a law firm litigation practice, I represented a major hospital system and managed care company in varied complex healthcare litigation and arbitration disputes, including payor/provider reimbursements, commercial contracts, ERISA, antitrust, class actions, trade secrets, benefit denials, torts and employment.
Q. What types of healthcare disputes do you typically handle as an arbitrator or mediator?
As an arbitrator, my matters have centered on commercial, Medicare and Medicaid payor/provider reimbursements, including 340B and out-of-network reimbursements. Also, I have arbitrated long-term care facility and pharmacy benefit manager contract disputes.
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?
As a commercial litigator for many years with a wide range of clients and litigation experience, and a focus in the healthcare industry for the past 20 years, I believed I could help achieve practical, common-sense and fair resolution of complex matters.
Q. Are you noticing any emerging issues or trends in healthcare cases coming to arbitration?
Payor/provider reimbursement disputes are including an increase in disputed claims and dollars which require efficient and fair management and resolution.
Q. What advice do you have for parties preparing for arbitration or mediation in complex healthcare disputes?
Collaborate on a joint case management plan and work together so the arbitration doesn’t turn into a costly, lengthy litigation which the parties in their arbitration agreement were trying to avoid.