About Howard
Howard serves as Chair of the firm’s Health Care section. His practice consists of representing hospitals, surgery centers, physician practices, diagnostic centers, home health agencies, assisted living facilities, medical staffs and other health care providers. His area of focus involves corporate and regulatory matters, including Stark and Anti-kickback compliance, facility and professional licensure matters, HIPAA, joint venture arrangements, certificate of need issues, Medicare and third-party audits, and contract negotiations. He is a member of the American and Birmingham Bar Associations, the American Health Lawyers Association, as well as the Alabama and District of Columbia Bars.
Howard is author of Legal Strategies for Health Care Providers, published by Aspotore Books in 2005, co-author of Legal Guide for Physicians in Alabama, published by the Medical Association of the State of Alabama in 2000, revised 2002, and is a contributing writer for the Birmingham Medical News. Howard is also a frequent speaker on various health care topics. Howard has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America (Health Care Law) since 2006 and was also chosen as a member of the 2007 class of “Who’s Who in Health Care” (Birmingham Business Journal). Howard is a member of the Board of Directors of Kid One Transport and a member of the Board of Directors of Community of Hope Health Clinic, a non-profit free medical clinic. Howard received his B.A. from the University of Florida and his J.D. from Emory University School of Law.
Howard Cross-Examined
I am a board member for Kid One Transport. Kid One Transport is a
nonprofit organization that provides free rides to non-emergency
medical appointments for children and expectant mothers. An estimated
500,000 children in the state of Alabama live in homes with little or
no reliable transportation. These children often forgo non-emergency
medical care such as checkups, counseling and dental appointments
because it is simply too hard for families to get to the doctor. Over
the past seven years, the Kid One Transport Team has driven nearly two
million miles, made thousands of trips and served over 5,000 children.
Also, I am an Assisted Scout Master for Troop 1 in Vestavia Hills, AL.
What is your favorite thing about the law?
Every day is different
from the next. I also have the privilege of working with wonderful
clients.
What was your first job?
My first job was working in a small “Mom and Pop” grocery store when I was 14. I worked behind the counter in the meat section. I was probably the only 14 year old that could not only tell the difference between cuts of meat, but could actually cut steaks to order. It was a messy job.
What are your hobbies?
While not really a hobby, first and foremost, I enjoy spending time with my family. I also hike, like to travel and do Taekwondo.
What advice would you give to a young student in law school?
If you have any interest at all in business and representing corporations, give serious thought to enrolling in a joint JD/MBA program. The joint degree only takes one more year, and the knowledge you will obtain through the MBA program will be invaluable.