How to Pick the Best Lawyer for a Doctor

To pick the best lawyer for a doctor, consider these five categories of physician representation and as a first step find a lawyer who specializes in this particular area.

1. Contract and Business Related Physician Representation

2. Medical Board Licensing (including applications and defense based on critical inquiries)

3. Peer Review, Credentialing & Privilege

4. Criminal Law

5. Medical Malpractice

Each area overlaps and is covered by medical license lawyers, but within this general description are highly specialized fields. Medical malpractice and criminal defense require specialists, while contract and business law are transactional and best handled by attorneys specializing in this area. The best physician lawyers in peer review and medical board accusation defense are highly specialized in technical and legal aspects but also possess strong negotiating and courtroom skills.

When charges are filed by the medical board the best attorney will have experience investigating factual issues which is a skill that criminal defense lawyers possess above most other practice specialties.  Negotiation is important at this stage but an attorney with trial experience is necessary because medical board charges end with either an agreement or an evidentiary hearing.

Peer Review and other actions by organized medical staff require a background in these procedures with an awareness of the impact of suspensions or discipline on licensing.  This area of medical law practice is the most specialized in the sense that two areas of focus are needed, medical staff issues and medical board issues.  

Crimes affecting doctors can be major such as healthcare fraud but crimes that are considered minor such as DUI's, simple drug offenses or even a petty theft can lead to medical board discipline.  A criminal defense specialist who is familiar with medical board investigations and discipline is a rare but critical combination of skills.

Identify the area of expertise and specialization needed, and find an attorney with a strong understanding of the specific issues in your situation. For example, a dispute over patient care differs from a dispute over the scope of privileges. Assess whether the attorney's experience and intelligence align with your needs.