Bricker & Eckler LLP’s Health Care practice group continues its growth with the addition of three attorneys this month alone. Partner Steve Kleinman has joined Bricker & Eckler in the firm’s Health Care group. Attorney Shannon DeBra and associate Beatrice Nokuri have also joined the practice this month.
“We are always looking for new talent so that we can continue to offer our clients the best possible experience and customer service. Steve, Shannon and Beatrice come ready to focus on our clients with an intrinsic understanding of the health care business. Together with the rest of our attorneys, they will help our health care clients keep pace with the ever-changing landscape of this industry,” said Jim Flynn, chair of Bricker’s Health Care practice.
Steve Kleinman, the newest partner added to the Health Care practice, represents health care providers and suppliers including hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, durable medical equipment suppliers and developmental disability service providers. He advises his clients in peer review, medical staff and credentialing matters, compliance matters, fraud and abuse investigations and defense of RAC and other governmental audits. Kleinman received his Bachelor of Science from Cornell University in 1991 and his Juris Doctorate from The Ohio State University College of Law in 1995, with honors.
Shannon DeBra rejoins Bricker & Eckler’s Cincinnati-Dayton office after serving as chief compliance officer for UC Health in Cincinnati. Her practice emphasizes health care regulatory and fraud and abuse matters. She works with health care providers to conduct compliance audits and internal investigations and to put together voluntary disclosures when potential violations of law are discovered. She assists in implementing Corporate Integrity Agreements, creates new compliance policies and procedures, and reviews compliance procedures for consistency with OIG provider compliance guidance and Corporate Integrity Agreement requirements. She has defended health care providers in sealed qui tam cases, including development of defense strategy and lead in settlement discussions with the U.S. Department of Justice. DeBra earned her Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, from Boston University in 1995; her Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts in 2003 and her Juris Doctorate from Boston University in 1998.
A recently certified critical care registered nurse with practice experiences in acute care, home health care, hospice, and long-term care settings, Beatrice Nokuri joins the Health Care team as a new associate. A 2012 graduate of Capital University Law School, Beatrice was a research assistant for Dean Richard Simpson and the Strategic Planning Committee. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Berea College. Beatrice worked as a registered nurse for nine years and also served as an extern with the Ohio Hospital Association. She has worked as a volunteer with Faith International Rescue Ministries in Cameroon, West Africa.
