Foley announced today that Lisa Estrada has joined the firm’s Health Care Industry Team as a partner in the New York office.
Estrada brings deep and wide-ranging experience representing clients in the health care industry in government investigations, False Claims Act (FCA) litigation, “Qui Tam” actions involving both health care providers and government contractors as well as other complex enforcement matters. She has successfully negotiated FCA settlements and agreements with both the U.S. Department of Justice and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). In addition to advising on government and internal investigations, Estrada regularly counsels dialysis providers, medical device suppliers, hospitals, hospices and home health care providers on compliance with the FCA, health care anti-kickback statutes, physician self-referral laws and regulations.
“Lisa is an experienced, nationally recognized health care lawyer with a remarkable track record representing clients in the most complicated regulatory matters facing the industry,” said Lawrence Vernaglia, chair of Foley’s Health Care Industry Team, which was named “Law Firm of the Year — Health Care Law” for the second consecutive year on the 2013 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” list. “As the government continues to roll out new regulations and increase enforcement actions against health care providers, Lisa will be a key strategic advisor to our clients in New York and nationally.”
Estrada, who previously led Arent Fox LLP’s national Health Care practice group, regularly advises clients on voluntary self-disclosures, compliance with the affirmative obligation to report and return federal health program overpayments, responses to OIG and contractor audit demands and other program integrity issues. She also frequently represents health care clients in various civil and administrative litigation matters and has successfully defended against administrative challenges to large-scale payment denials and billing privilege revocations.
“We are thrilled to welcome a lawyer of Lisa’s caliber as we continue to expand our team of health care attorneys on the east coast,” said Peter Wang, managing partner of Foley’s New York office. “Lisa will leverage her diverse experience to custom fit clients’ needs and address their compliance issues, which is particularly helpful here given the unique challenges facing health care companies with operations in New York. She will also be a valuable resource for the New York investment community, which is increasingly focused on the health care sector.”
Estrada comes to Foley during a time of expansion for its nationally recognized health care team, following the addition of Jan Murray, formerly of K&L Gates and the Cleveland Clinic, and Chris Donovan, formerly of McDermott Will & Emery. At Arent Fox, Estrada was a partner and practiced in both New York and Washington, D.C. At Foley, she will continue to split her time between New York and Washington, D.C.
“I was drawn to Foley because of the depth and breadth of its national health care industry team as well as the firm’s commitment to serving the unique needs of New York health care providers and suppliers,” said Estrada. “Health care reform and resulting changes to the business environment have created major challenges for the health industry and great opportunities for lawyers to help their clients adapt to the changing environment. I look forward to the opportunity to work with the health care team in New York and nationally to help our clients meet this challenge.”
Earlier in her career, Estrada served as a press secretary in the U.S. House of Representatives and in a number of political campaigns. She also executed grassroots advocacy campaigns for several D.C.-based public policy groups. She has also served as a board member and board chair for Street Sense, a not-for-profit street newspaper that offers economic opportunities for people experiencing homelessness and encourages debate on poverty and injustice.