DLA Piper announced today that Karen Nelson has joined the firm’s national Health Care Enforcement and Compliance practice as of counsel in the Austin office. Previously, Nelson served as Deputy Inspector General and Chief Counsel for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Office of Inspector General.

At DLA Piper, Nelson will focus on advising providers and suppliers on compliance with, and enforcement of, Medicaid and Medicare laws and regulations – particularly in matters involving billing, audits and investigations, corporate integrity agreement monitoring, conditions of participation, privacy, and physician and referral source relationships.

“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.”

In her role at the HHSC, Nelson directed a team of lawyers tasked with enforcing audits and administrative investigations for health and human service programs involving billions in state and federal tax dollars. She provided legal direction to the office’s 630 investigators, auditors, clinicians and support personnel. She also advised the Inspector General, HHSC Executive Management and state legislators on policy and strategic goals and the implementation of key program integrity provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

In addition, Nelson worked with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in the detection and investigation of fraudulent or abusive activity, and the prosecution of providers, subcontractors and others involved in fraud or abuse. She is a Certified Inspector General and a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional.

“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.”

Earlier in her career, Nelson was in private practice and represented governmental entities in complex litigation involving regulatory and compliance issues. Before that, she served as an Assistant District Attorney in the office of the Criminal District Attorney of Dallas County, where she represented the county in civil litigation and appeals, and the State of Texas in criminal trial and appellate proceedings. In that capacity, she was named the 2004 Outstanding Prosecutor Upholding Victim’s Rights in Texas in recognition of her successful efforts to protect crime victims’ privacy rights.

Nelson earned a J.D. from Baylor University School of Law, a B.A. from Texas Tech University, and a M.A. from Southern Methodist University.

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