Law Fellow

Background

The Fresenius Medical Care (FME) U.S. Law Department Fellowship is a one-year training and experiential learning program for recent law school graduates who have demonstrated an interest in health care law through academic coursework and professional experience. The FME Law Department provides in-house legal counsel to the company’s many operational divisions in both health care service and products, giving the Fellow a broad range of experiences representing health care providers, manufacturers, and related entities. Under the general supervision of an Associate General Counsel or his/her designee, the Fellow undertakes projects supporting the company’s operational and corporate support divisions, including Care Delivery (medical services); Care Enablement (medical devices and technology); Litigation, Investigation, & Payor Relations - U.S.; Corporate Governance; and U.S. Labor Relations. The goal of the Fellowship is to prepare promising law school graduates for practice in an array of legal disciplines related to health care. The Fellow will be part of FME’s inclusive and collegial Law Department, which is comprised of nearly 60 lawyers in the United States and many more attorneys and legal professionals worldwide working on cutting-edge legal issues across all practice areas in support of Fresenius Medical Care’s wide range of businesses.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist with the drafting of new agreements and amendments to existing agreements including medical director agreements; inpatient dialysis services agreements; sourcing and supply agreements; non-disclosure agreements; network provider agreements; and such other contracts as assigned by an Associate General Counsel or designee, that are pertinent to or necessary for the day-to-day operations of FME’s and its affiliates’ businesses supported by the Law Department's practice groups; provide timely advice to business clients regarding the interpretation of various provisions in existing contracts.
• Conduct research of legal and regulatory issues in all areas of health care law, which may include:
  • Fraud and abuse
  • Medical director contracting and non-competes
  • Health facility planning, certificate of need, and licensure
  • Medicare certification and de-certification
  • Health care product distribution and supply chain regulation
  • Billing and reimbursement
  • Joint Ventures
  • Antitrust
  • HIPAA, medical records, and privacy
  • Medical Staff matters, including credentialing/privileges, and disciplinary actions
  • Dialysis clinic and other health care facility Governing Body matters
  • Patient-related issues, including advance directives and medical decision-making
• Communicate with and provide advice to business clients concerning the legal and regulatory risks associated with proposed strategies and, while working with such clients and addressing their concerns, suggest alternatives that will limit risk and liability to FME’s businesses.
• Work collaboratively on projects with other FME departments including Compliance, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Services, the Medical Office, Global IP, and others.
• Take on additional responsibilities appropriate to a junior licensed attorney including providing legal counsel to corporate clients as assigned, working directly with outside counsel on active legal matters, and negotiating agreements with third parties under the direction of the Associate General Counsel and other attorneys in the Law Department. Assist with other projects as assigned.

Education & Bar Admission

• Bachelor’s Degree and Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Admitted to at least one state bar or active application for admission to at least one state bar pending, with the expectation of completing the bar exam prior to start of Fellowship.

Experience & Required Skills

• Demonstrated interest in health care law through academic coursework or concentration in related studies.
• Previous work experience in health care law or with/for health care organization is preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent academic credentials.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent legal research skills.
• Strong computer skills and experience, including but not limited to, Windows and Microsoft applications.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EO/AA Employer: Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Fresenius Medical Care maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.