Identifying an Employment Attorney

Identifying an Employment Attorney

How to Identify A Healthcare Labor and Employment Attorney:

  1. Ask your Program Director, fellow trainees and colleagues who have used a healthcare labor and employment attorney for a referral.
  2. If your training program has in-house counsel, that attorney may be able to recommend a healthcare employment attorney.
  3. Call the state’s Bar Association and ask for the names of several attorneys who specialize in healthcare employment. Sometimes attorneys offer a free consultation when their name was referred by the Bar Association.
  4. Obtain several names so that you may get a feel for personality, level of experience, etc.

Verify the Attorney’s Credentials:

Martindale Hubbell provides a free online legal directory to research an attorney’s credentials and area of expertise. Attorneys are anonymously rated by other attorneys and judges for topics such as expertise and ethics.

http://www.lawyers.com/

What to Ask a Healthcare Labor and Employment Attorney:

  1. Ask about his or her education.
  2. Ask what percentage of his or her practice is devoted to healthcare contract matters such as yours.
  3. Ask if he or she aware of the federal and state laws governing compensation, termination, etc.
  4. Ask if the attorney will personally be reviewing the contract for you, if not, who will be?
  5. Ask how accessible he or she will be if you have concerns or questions.
  6. Ask how long it will take.
  7. Ask what the fee will be.
  8. Ask if there could there be additional costs and if so, what for?
  9. Ask what the attorney expects from you
  10. Ask for references who are former clients.

What Are Some of the Key Contract Areas the Attorney Will Discuss?

  1. Compensation (salary or income guarantee)
  2. Productivity (if applicable)
  3. Benefits (Health and Life Insurances, vacation, etc.)
  4. Signing Bonus (if applicable)
  5. Continuing Medical Education
  6. Relocation Expenses
  7. Duties and Responsibilities to the Practice
  8. Term (Length of the Contract)
  9. Termination
  10. Type of Malpractice and Limits of Liability
  11. Restrictive Covenant
  12. Partnership Offering
  13. Buy-in Formula
  14. 401K

Always Keep Your Original Documents!