Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, today further expanded the Washington, D.C., office with the addition of partner James M. Burns, former co-leader of the Healthcare Antitrust Practice at a national law firm. He joins Akerman’s Healthcare Practice Group, bolstering the firm’s national capabilities for health systems and insurance companies involved in healthcare M&A, antitrust litigation and government investigations tied to antitrust compliance.
“Jim is a longtime advisor to some of the most preeminent names within the healthcare sector and has built an impeccable reputation as a brilliant, dedicated client advocate,” said Kirk Davis, chair of the Healthcare Practice Group. “With him, our team continues its client-driven growth in the areas where clients need us most, particularly as the regulatory landscape for the U.S. healthcare sector continues to shift.”
An experienced antitrust lawyer, Burns represents healthcare providers, insurers and healthcare systems in antitrust litigation and related claims in trial and appellate courts across the United States. He also represents clients before the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division, the Federal Trade Commission and state antitrust regulators on mergers and government investigations.
In addition to his healthcare practice, Burns’ practice also focuses on assisting insurance industry clients with the unique antitrust issues they encounter, and he assists clients in a number of industries on antitrust compliance, distribution-related antitrust issues and the application of the antitrust laws to intellectual property rights. He has been actively involved in the leadership of the ABA Antitrust Section for more than a decade, and has served as the chair of the Section’s Insurance Industry Committee and its Legislation Committee. Burns also writes and speaks frequently on antitrust matters, including an annual commentary on the outlook for antitrust and congressional action as well as healthcare transactions.
Burns is the latest arrival to Akerman’s Healthcare Practice Group and the firm’s Washington, D.C., office. In the last year, the group also has welcomed experienced healthcare partner Philip Sprinkle. Along with him, Burns’ arrival strengthens Akerman’s capabilities to serve client needs in national healthcare transactions and litigation, as well as complex government investigations.
About Akerman
Akerman LLP is a top 100 U.S. law firm recognized by Financial Times as among the most forward thinking firms in the industry. Its more than 650 lawyers and business professionals collaborate with the world’s most successful enterprises and entrepreneurs to navigate change, seize opportunities, and overcome barriers to innovation and growth. Akerman is known for its results in middle market M&A and complex disputes, and for helping clients achieve their most important business objectives in the financial services, real estate, and other dynamic sectors across the United States and Latin America.
Akerman’s Healthcare Practice Group provides counsel on complex regulatory, risk management, and corporate matters to healthcare industry stakeholders including hospitals and health systems, health insurers and managed care organizations, physician practice groups and pharmacy-related organizations.
Akerman also delivers important developments in healthcare industry law on their Health Law Rx Blog.