World-straddling law firm DLA Piper /a> 4,200 lawyers strong, has just added one more strong lawyer, Karen Nelson, who most recently worked as Deputy Inspector General and Chief Counsel for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Office of Inspector General. Medicare guru, she brings her years of work with Medicaid and Medicare laws and regulations to aid and advice the clients of DLA Piper, in their Austin office.
“Karen is an informed and experienced strategist, having been a key member of what many consider to be the most robust and effective Medicaid regulatory and enforcement agency in the country,” said Frank Sheeder, chair of DLA Piper’s Health Care Enforcement and Compliance practice. “As Medicaid issues take center stage as a product of health care reform, we are now even better positioned to offer our health care clients across the country a strong range of prevention, compliance and advocacy services.”
Karen’s experiences are diverse, ranging from her initial reception of a J.D. from Baylor University before working a private practice representing governmental entities in complex litigation involving regulatory and compliance issues. She then moved on to be Assistant District Attorney at the office other Criminal District Attorney of Dallas County, where she won 2004’s Outstanding Prosecutor Upholding Victim’s Rights award in Texas. Since then she directed a team of lawyers at the HHSC managing audits and administrative investigations regarding the Medicaid and Medicare laws and regulations, including billing, auditing, and investigations, which make her such a hot asset for DLA Piper.
“Karen’s unique background in government service will be a tremendous asset to our health care clients across the country and our formidable, high-quality health care practice,” added John Gilluly, managing partner of DLA Piper’s Austin office. “She is also a strategic hire as we add even more depth to help our clients with the increasing onslaught of enforcement and regulatory actions.”