ArentFox Schiff Welcomes Los Angeles Health Care Counsel Gayland Hethcoat

ArentFox Schiff LLP is pleased to announce the expansion of its Health Care practice with the addition of Counsel Gayland O. Hethcoat II in the firm’s Los Angeles office.

Gayland brings nearly a decade of experience serving as in-house counsel to two of California’s leading health care organizations, including Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, a nationally-ranked and freestanding acute care children’s hospital, and Dignity Health, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the United States.

A strategic legal advisor to providers and stakeholders across the health care delivery spectrum, Gayland offers a practical, business-minded approach to supporting his clients. As regulatory counsel, Gayland develops solutions for complying with the complex web of federal and state laws governing the healthcare sector, including in the emerging fields of telemedicine and digital health. He has represented hospitals and health systems, physician practices, retail pharmacies and clinics, clinical laboratories, home health agencies, telehealth platforms and health tech start-ups, and management service organizations.

Gayland possesses particular experience with health data privacy and security laws (including HIPAA, the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA), 42 CFR Part 2 substance abuse confidentiality regulations, and the FTC Health Breach Notification Rule) and healthcare fraud and abuse laws (including the Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, and Civil Monetary Penalties Law). In addition, he routinely advises on healthcare licensure and scope-of-practice requirements, Medicare and Medicaid program rules, and controlled substance regulations.

In his transactional practice, Gayland drafts and negotiates various types of contracts and legal instruments, including financial arrangements between hospitals and physicians. He also assists with matters involving for-profit and nonprofit corporate board governance, conflicts of interest, and discharge of fiduciary duties.

“Gayland joins us at a critical time for our health care clients as they continue to manage their operations during the pandemic and work to comply with the changing regulatory landscape. Gayland’s impressive knowledge, excellent legal skills, and strong client service record are well-recognized in the health community. Welcoming attorneys with Gayland’s level of experience allows us to provide superior service and strategic counsel to our very sophisticated, growing client base.”
– Douglas A. Grimm, Health Care Practice Leader

Gayland’s Experience
Gayland’s recent work includes:

– Advising on issues involving COVID-19 testing and vaccination requirements for healthcare workforce members, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory waivers and flexibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic
– Supporting senior compliance officers in administering healthcare compliance programs, including internal investigations, audits, and risk assessments
– Providing representation in enforcement actions and investigations conducted by the US Department of Justice, Office for Civil Rights in the US Department of Health and Human Services, the California Department of Public Health, and other federal and state agencies

About ArentFox Schiff
ArentFox Schiff LLP is internationally recognized in core industries where business and the law intersect. With more than 600 lawyers and policy professionals, the firm serves as a destination for an international roster of corporations, governments, private individuals, and trade associations.