Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce a major expansion of its national healthcare practice with the addition of antitrust partners Mark J. Horoschak, Brian A. Hayles, and Michael P. Fischer, along with associate Najla Long, to the firm’s Charlotte office.

All four join Bradley from Womble Bond Dickinson, bringing their extensive transactional and litigation experience to Bradley’s Healthcare Practice Group. Led by Mark Horoschak and Brian Hayles, the highly regarded team routinely represents leading health systems across the country in transactional matters, as well as in antitrust investigations and litigation. Their addition deepens the expertise of Bradley’s nationally recognized group of healthcare attorneys and advisors, and also expands the firm’s broad-based antitrust and competition practice.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mark, Brian, Michael, and Najla to Bradley and to our top-flight healthcare practice,” said Jonathan M. Skeeters, Bradley’s Chairman of the Board and Managing Partner. “Their expertise in healthcare antitrust matters is second to none and their addition marks a significant milestone in the growth and expansion of the firm.”

Travis G. Lloyd, chair of the firm’s Healthcare Practice Group, added, “Mark, Brian, Michael, and Najla are highly respected in the healthcare antitrust arena, having been on the front lines of major transactions and high-profile litigation for many years. We know firsthand of their outstanding work, and we are so pleased to welcome them to our healthcare practice.”

The addition of this team reflects the firm’s continued investment in North Carolina which encompasses the addition of 11 lawyers since summer 2018, including a six-lawyer team led by Rob Marcus from the former Smith Moore Leatherwood firm and, most recently, Jon Ferry from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina.

Bradley Charlotte Office Managing Partner Christopher C. Lam said, “We are very excited that this new group of highly experienced healthcare antitrust attorneys helps us to further diversify the capabilities of our Charlotte office, while also enhancing core strengths of our firm nationally.”

Mr. Horoschak represents numerous national and regional health systems in a variety of capacities. He regularly appears before federal and state antitrust enforcement agencies in securing clearance for mergers, joint ventures and other transactions. He also has served as counsel for health systems throughout the country in antitrust litigation involving managed care contracting, medical staff privileges, economic credentialing, physician recruitment practices, nurse salary determinations, and exclusive provider arrangements.

“Joining Bradley is an honor and a great opportunity for my clients to benefit from the firm’s existing talent in diverse practice areas, and I couldn’t be happier about also getting to continue working with colleagues with whom I have collaborated for years,” Mr. Horoschak said.

Previously, Mr. Horoschak served as Assistant Director of the Bureau of Competition of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). In that capacity, he was responsible for antitrust enforcement policy governing healthcare systems and served as trial counsel in lawsuits challenging hospital mergers. Prior to that position, he served as an attorney-advisor for the FTC chairman and as chief of staff for the agency during the transition between the Reagan and Bush presidential administrations. He received his J.D. from the College of William and Mary Law School and his Bachelor of Arts (cum laude) from American University.

Mr. Hayles is a seasoned antitrust attorney who provides guidance to clients across the country on hospital and physician practice mergers, antitrust litigation and investigations, and managed care contracting practices. He has significant experience practicing before the FTC, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division, and numerous state attorneys general. In addition, Mr. Hayles’ deep commitment to pro bono service includes his practice before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, through which he routinely pursues claims for disability benefits on behalf of military veterans.

“I am thrilled to join Bradley’s healthcare team of attorneys that I have come to know and appreciate as among the most accomplished in the industry,” Mr. Hayles said. “My national practice in antitrust and trade regulation blends well with the firm’s focus areas and key strengths, and I am excited for the opportunities this move will create for my clients.”

Mr. Hayles received his J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law and his Bachelor of Science from North Carolina State University.

Mr. Fischer focuses his practice on advising clients in the healthcare sector and has significant experience in provider transactions and managed care contracting. He regularly represents clients before the FTC, the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, and state competition regulators. He also counsels clients on Hart-Scott-Rodino Act issues.

Mr. Fischer received his J.D. (with honors) from the University of North Carolina School of Law. He also holds a Master of Arts (with honors) from Wake Forest University and a Bachelor of Arts (with distinction) from the University of North Carolina.

Ms. Long counsels healthcare and other clients on a wide variety of antitrust and competition issues. Her experience includes advising public and private companies in M&A issues involving the FTC and DOJ. Her practice also includes litigating competition-related disputes, as well as assisting clients with creating and maintaining effective antitrust compliance programs.

Ms. Long received her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University.