Interacting with government is an art, and as with any art, experience is key to being effective.
Contact: P /612.604.6435E /cfinnern@winthrop.com
Administrative Contact: Paige Velgersdyk P /612.604.6559E /pvelgersdyk@winthrop.com
Education
University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., 2001
Wartburg College, B.A., summa cum laude, 1998
Bar Admissions
Minnesota, 2001
U.S. District Court, D. Minn., 2005
Iowa, 2020
Ho-Chunk Nation
The regulatory and administrative process can seem like a huge impediment to the goal of serving your customers and patients, whether in health care, insurance, or other regulated industries. I represent clients as they deal with federal and state regulatory compliance issues and provide counseling to proactively address issues before they arise.
I don’t see my clients as the current project, and then moving on to the next. I love getting to know each client’s business, weighing their strengths and weaknesses, and figuring out how to navigate the current and future landscape to help them grow and expand. When I do internal investigations or a contested case hearing, I use my background in litigation to dig into the facts, do discovery, review documents and interview employees to piece together not only what happened, but also to prevent any further issues down the line.
I had recently been named shareholder at the firm in the litigation practice, but the economy was still recovering from the recession and I wasn’t as busy as I like to be. Together, my partner, David Aafedt, and I decided to create a new practice area focused exclusively on health care regulatory compliance and I wholly threw myself into it. I learned that there's no magic to developing a practice like that; just years of hard work, persistence, and the support of a great team.
In the Health Law space I represent providers and health care businesses in a variety of capacities, including litigation and enforcement proceedings, health care licensing board investigations and compliance and regulatory matters. Often clients rely on me to serve as outside general counsel to health care professionals and practice groups, and advise them on, issues such as state and federal privacy laws, including data breaches; fraud, waste and abuse, anti-kickback and Stark; credentialing, privileging and peer review processes; employment issues; and even buying and selling practices. I also partner with health care providers and practice groups to conduct internal compliance investigations in an effort to identify potential compliance risks, and ensure that appropriate procedures and training are in place moving forward.
I also have unique expertise representing health care companies in connection with state involuntary receivership matters.
I place particular emphasis on the behavioral health industry, including state and federal regulatory compliance considerations and 42 CFR Part 2 privacy considerations.
I represent many substance use disorder treatment providers, including those who utilize methadone and buprenorphine in treating those suffering from opioid abuse. These substance use disorder providers face unique issues with the both Department of Health of Human Services Licensing and Enforcement, as well as interacting with the federal government, including the Drug Enforcement Administration.
I also counsel numerous clients who operate nursing homes, assisted living facilities, senior housing facilities, and home care businesses in connection with state and federal regulatory enforcement. I deal regularly with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services (CMS) on behalf of my clients. I also advise and counsel clients in connection with Minnesota’s new assisted living licensure statute that will result in material changes to the licensure and regulation of senior housing facilities that provide services to their residents.
Minnesota Business, 2014
Health Care Law, 2021
Much of my time is spent representing clients before legislative bodies, and state and federal regulators. My experience includes advising clients in conjunction with their oversight by, or interaction with, the Minnesota Office of Attorney General, Minnesota Office of the Governor, Minnesota Legislature, Department of Administration, Department of Commerce, Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as the Boards of Pharmacy, Medical Practice, and Nursing, among others. In addition, I also have unique expertise representing health care companies in connection with state involuntary receivership matters.
Health Care Law, 2021
2017-2019
Minnesota Super Lawyers®, 2008-2016
Under 40 Hot List, 2016
Local Litigation Star, 2016-2020
Future Star, 2010-2015
Minnesota Business, 2014
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, 2014
Minnesota Lawyer, 2011
Board of Directors, 2014-2017
Board of Directors, 2011-2016
Hope Rocks Committee, 2010-2011
Corporate Sponsorship Committee, 2011-2014
Advisory Board, 2013-2014
Mentor, 2010-2012
Development Committee, 2010-2012
Member, Regulatory Forum Committee