Kathleen L. DeBruhl

New Orleans, LA
(504) 522-4054
kdebruhl@md-law.com

Mrs. DeBruhl’s practice focuses on the representation of healthcare providers, and in particular, physicians and their legal issues. Mrs. DeBruhl’s multi-state clients include healthcare providers, specialty hospitals, medical staffs, ambulatory surgery centers, durable medical equipment providers, imaging facilities, and laboratories, and pharmacies. She possesses extensive expertise in a variety of healthcare areas, including substantial experience in general healthcare law, managed care contracts, physician practices, recruitment and contracting, antitrust, Medicare and Medicaid certification and reimbursement, audits and appeals, fraud and abuse, mergers and acquisitions, and the development of ancillary services and joint ventures such as ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, and specialty hospitals. 

Mrs. DeBruhl is particularly experienced in providing strategic planning and advice to healthcare clients to build and develop healthcare projects, including organization of healthcare entities, joint ventures, construction, financing, management structures and investor syndication. She has developed integrated delivery systems, including ACO’s, physician specialty hospitals, and has facilitated the complex mergers of multiple physician practices. Her healthcare practice and expertise also spans both state and federal regulatory issues, including Medicare fraud and abuse enforcement and compliance issues, state fraud and abuse matters, insurance industry fraud and compliance, and federal Qui Tam ("Whistleblower") defense.

Mrs. DeBruhl also serves as outside counsel to the Faculty Group Practice Plans of both LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans and the LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport.  Mrs. DeBruhl was the initial counsel to organize both faculty group practices and obtained their 501(c)(3) tax-exempt designation.  Mrs. DeBruhl has also served as special counsel to other academic medical centers.

Mrs. DeBruhl has contributed her expertise as a co-author of national publications regarding the legal representation of physicians and speaks at regional and national seminars and conferences for both legal and healthcare associations.  She is rated "AV Preeminent" by Martindale-Hubbell® and since 2009 has been recognized as a Top Lawyer in Healthcare in the New Orleans Area by New Orleans Magazine.

Courtney A. Stokes

New Orleans
(504) 522-5045
cstokes@md-law.com

Ms. Stokes provides advice regarding general healthcare law as well as different areas of healthcare including physician practices, employment, recruitment, health care regulatory compliance, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, audits and appeals, and fraud and abuse. Ms. Stokes has worked with clients on a variety of federal government regulatory issues including successfully obtaining a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt designation, assistance with seeking FQHC designation; and providing oversight and monitoring of a CIA pursuant to the Firm’s Independent Review Organization appointment. She additionally has helped healthcare providers in private equity acquisitions, organize, and dissolve multiple types of business organizations including limited liability companies and non-profit corporations.