Principal Counsel, Health Regulatory

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

UC Legal – Office of the General Counsel (UCL) provides legal services to the university, including representation, advice, research and training. We also provide legal opinions to the Board of Regents, administration, faculty, staff and others acting on the university's behalf. We report jointly to the Board of Regents and the President.

Reporting to the Managing Counsel, Health Affairs, Privacy & Data Protection Law, the Principal Counsel – Health Regulatory will provide primary legal support to the University’s medical centers and health sciences schools on complex and high‑impact healthcare regulatory matters. The role involves advising on healthcare regulations, reimbursement and operations, including Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement; regulatory compliance (such as Medicare Conditions of Participation, Stark Law, Anti‑Kickback Statute, EMTALA, CLIA, Controlled Substances Act, and relevant state regulations);

hospital, pharmacy and clinical laboratory operations; facility licensing and accreditation; telehealth services; and responding to government audits and investigations. The Principal Counsel will also advise UC Health, Office of the President, Faculty Senate, and campus stakeholders on a broad range of healthcare legal issues. A strategic thinker who is approachable, a strong relationship builder, and thrives in a challenging environment will align with the University’s values.

• Supports the UC Legal Health Affairs, Privacy & Data Protection practice group in delivering efficient, effective, and consistent health law services system‑wide.
• Provides substantial legal expertise within the University on health care regulations, reimbursement and operations, including Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement; regulatory compliance (Medicare Conditions of Participation, Stark Law, Anti‑Kickback Statute, EMTALA, CLIA, Controlled Substances Act, etc.); hospital, pharmacy and clinical laboratory operations; facility licensing and accreditation; telehealth services; and government audits and investigations.
• Handles independently a full range of high‑complexity legal matters and projects under general direction, counseling senior management on issues of significant cross‑system impact.
• Provides high‑level strategic advice to University business units, offering practical solutions to business concerns.
• Collaborates to solve the most complex legal issues, providing strategic direction with high‑level stakeholders such as medical center CEOs, senior Office of the President administrators, and other UC locations.
• Provides actionable advice based on sophisticated interpretation of facts and law in ambiguous areas.
• Identifies and frames systemic legal issues, formulating strategic approaches with broad UC system impact.
• Participates on external committees to provide input on state and federal policy issues.
• Keeps informed on changing legislation and case law affecting University operations in health care regulatory matters.
• Provides client advisories and tools related to such developments.
• Directly negotiates matters on behalf of the Regents.
• Acts as a liaison with and monitors outside counsel.
• Provides strategic support and expertise on litigation matters in the relevant fields.

• Proactively builds relationships with appropriate stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes.
• Establishes effective relationships with key internal and external constituencies.
• Develops objectives and ensures service according to established priorities.
• Ensures accurate record keeping in compliance with UC Legal data quality protocols.

• Mentors law clerks, fellows, legal support staff, and other learners.
• Functions as a lead and technical resource, providing functional advice, training, and guidance to clients or less‑experienced attorneys.

• Manages the outside counsel budget for the specialty area.
• Prepares cost/benefit proposals concerning in‑house versus outside firm work.
• Complies with delegations of authority for committing University funds.
• Delegates work to legal support staff to maximize efficiency and provide growth…