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David Hilgers is a highly experienced practitioner who is sought out by healthcare providers for his expertise across healthcare, administrative and corporate issues. He attracts impressive praise among peers, who see him as "an outstanding lawyer" and go on to say: "He's an excellent lawyer who does a great job."

Chambers USA

Overview

With more than 40 years of experience, David has the extensive knowledge and determination to help clients face today’s complex issues in the healthcare arena.

David counsels healthcare providers on all their corporate and administrative legal issues – from peer review to billing issues to regulatory compliance. With a steady hand, he guides clients in the integration of healthcare delivery systems, fraud and abuse investigations, self-referrals, licensing, provider contracts and privacy concerns. A special area of focus is handling transactions for physicians who are selling their medical groups.

David’s clients are providers across the healthcare spectrum, including physicians, dentists, health systems, managed care organizations, long-term care facilities, multispecialty groups, hospitals, hospital districts and community mental health centers. David feels fortunate to represent people he genuinely likes.

David is motivated by the unique nature of the constantly evolving healthcare industry. He enjoys the challenge of staying current with the issues that providers face and helping them navigate their way through any challenges.

Prior to joining Husch Blackwell, David was Chair of Brown McCarroll.

David Hilgers is a highly experienced practitioner who is sought out by healthcare providers for his expertise across healthcare, administrative and corporate issues. He attracts impressive praise among peers, who see him as "an outstanding lawyer" and go on to say: "He's an excellent lawyer who does a great job."

Chambers USA

Industry

Services

Recognition

  • BL Rankings’ The Best Lawyers in America®, Health Care Law, 1995-2024; Austin Health Care Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2012
  • Chambers USA, Healthcare, 2005-2019, Senior Statesman, 2020-2023; Nationwide, Healthcare: Regulatory & Litigation, 2014
  • State Bar of Texas, Texas Health Law Section, Distinguished Service Award, 2022
  • Austin Bar Association, Lawyer of the Year, 2017
  • Thomson Reuters’ Texas Super Lawyers, Health Care, 2003-2019
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent

Education

  • J.D., University of Texas School of Law
    • with honors
    • Order of the Coif
  • B.A., Swarthmore College
    • with honors

Admissions

  • Texas

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • American Bar Association
    • Health Law Section, Chair, 2009-2010; Chair-Elect, 2008-2009; Vice Chair, 2007-2008
    • CLE Committee, Chair, 2010-2011
    • Officers Council: Standing Committee on Continuing Legal Education, Chair, 2009-2011
    • Standing Committee for Legal Aid & Indigent Defenders
  • American Health Law Association
  • Austin Bar Association
  • State Bar of Texas
  • Texas Bar Foundation
Experience
  • Advised clients on consequences of emerging state and federal regulation of fee-sharing, self-referral, antitrust risks and licensing of health maintenance organizations, home healthcare companies, nonprofit health organizations, physicians and other health professionals.
  • Negotiated provider contracts, including global capitation contracts and development of managed Medicaid rollouts.
  • Organized independent practice associations throughout Texas that have included groups with as few as three to more than 250 physicians. Complex mergers, reorganizations, acquisitions and sale of physician practices were often involved.
  • Formed types of managed care, fully integrated medical groups, physician practice management companies and management services organizations.
  • Organized and structured ancillary service ventures, including imaging centers, ambulatory surgery centers and specialty hospitals.
News Releases | September 03, 2019
Nine Husch Blackwell Lawyers Named to 2019 Thomson Reuters' Texas Super Lawyers

Covering more than 70 practice areas, Super Lawyers is a directory of lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

News Releases | August 15, 2019
Husch Blackwell Places 143 Lawyers in 2020 BL Rankings' Best Lawyers in America®

The firm has eight "Lawyers of the Year" and 11 attorneys appearing on the list for the first time.

News Releases | April 29, 2019
Chambers USA 2019 Ranks Husch Blackwell in 10 Areas of Law; 33 Attorneys Recognized

Attorneys in 10 offices across the firm's footprint are recognized in the 2019 edition of Chambers USA

Outside the Office

David has traveled to destinations across the globe.

He has visited countries including Japan, Morocco, China, Mongolia and India and traveled throughout Europe and South America. But David’s favorite trip was to Kenya. He traveled with two families and a guide on an extensive tour of the beautiful country, including Samburu, Mount Kenya, the Great Rift Valley and Nairobi.

Community Leadership
  • James Dick Foundation, Board of Directors, 1996-present; Executive Committee, 1996-present
  • Patient Privacy Rights, Board of Directors, 2012-present
  • Texas Planned Parenthood, Advisor
  • Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, Board of Directors, 2002-present; President, 2008-2009
Legal Aid

David has worked with Legal Aid since 1988, helping with mergers within the Legal Aid organization, specifically in Travis County, Texas, and assuming executive roles within the national organization. He serves on the Standing Committee for Legal Aid & Indigent Defenders for the American Bar Association and on the Board of Directors for Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid.