Seasoned, well-rounded attorney, currently in the practice of family law.  Sophisticated knowledge of business, contract and financial forensics provides excellent foundation for negotiation or litigation of complex marital property disputes.  Knowledge and expertise in divorce, child custody, child and spousal support, spousal torts, marital property, modifications of decree, prenuptial and ante nuptial agreements and simple wills.  Additionally, substantial experience in insurance and health law, with administrative, industry and law firm experience in areas of regulation, operations, government programs and procurement, contract development, compliance, provider relations, public relations and legislative affairs  Trained mediator.  First-chair litigation of over 40 jury trials to a verdict.

Family Law Experience:

Law Office of Sydney Stuart, LLC, Austin, TX

• Divorce
• Temporary orders
• Child custody disputes
• Determination and enforcement of child support
• Determination and enforcement of spousal support
• Litigation of actions for spousal torts
• Marital property valuations and disputes
• Post-divorce modifications of decree
• Marital agreements and simple wills
• Travis, Williamson, Comal, Hays and Caldwell Counties

Insurance Industry Experience:

Community Health Solutions of America, LLC, General Counsel, Austin, TX

• Management of all matters regarding legal, regulatory and business risk issues
• Oversight of outside counsel in all aspects of litigation
• Direction of outside lobby counsel and public relations executives
• Interface with regulatory authorities
• Participation in strategic and business development initiatives as member of CHS Executive Board
• Development and implementation of company-wide legal, regulatory and business risk plan
• Development and implementation of company-wide HIPAA compliance program

Texas University Health Plan, Vice President Government Affairs, Austin, TX

• Advocate  for TUHP on regulatory and legislative issues
• Advise TUHP Board of Directors, TUHP senior management team and university member institutions
• Development of risk assessment techniques to ensure accountability for regulatory compliance
• Appointment to University of Texas HIPAA Task Force
• Project oversight of TUHP’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) implementation

United HealthCare of Texas, Manager of Regulatory Affairs, Austin, TX

• Management of compliance related issues for all Texas plans
• Oversight of outgoing audit processes for regulatory entities
• Interface with the Texas Association of Health Plans and  Texas regulators
• Member United Healthcare National Compliance Committee
• Co-management of national medical-management compliance risk initiative
• Development and implementation of formal policy, procedure and training manuals for all Texas plans

Administrative Experience:

Texas Department of Insurance, Attorney with Legal and Compliance Division, Austin, TX

• Counsel to HMO, Life/Health and Financial Divisions and Utilization Review Advisory Committee
• Promulgation of regulations implementing major legislation regarding HMO, utilization review and independent review organizations
• Review and assessment of company filings and applications for licensing
• Preparation of Commissioner’s Orders and legal opinions
• Oversight of matters regarding hazardous financial condition of companies, market conduct, policy approval and holding company transactions
• Litigation before the State Office of Administrative Hearings
• Restructure of $26 million of debt involving major financial institutions from four countries
• Liaison between Texas Legislature and the Texas Department of Insurance

Private Sector Experience:

Law Office of Sydney Stuart, LLC, Austin, TX

• Family law practice including divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, spousal tort, marital property, modifications of decree, prenuptial and ante nuptial agreements, and simple wills
• Commercial practice including administrative compliance, business transactions, contract development and dispute resolution, equity position negotiations, business risk analysis, internal policy and procedure development
• Trained mediator in family law, health law, insurance law and commercial law

Gjerset and Lorenz, LLP, Senior Associate, Austin, TX

• Representation of major national hospital systems in litigation, administrative and regulatory matters
• Complex litigation of significant value in multiple states
• Representation in matters regarding DISH and HIPPA

Lynch, Chappell & Alsup, PC Associate Attorney, Dallas, TX

• Representation of clients in civil practice, primarily in areas of corporate and banking litigation

The Law Office of Stephen F. Malouf, PC Associate Attorney, Dallas, TX

• Represented clients in personal injury law
• Extensive discovery of defendants, including Ford, General Motors, Even Flo and Cessna

Other Experience:

Dallas County District Attorney, Assistant District Attorney, Dallas, TX

• White Collar Crime Division
• One of two charter prosecutors to implement the first state-level securities and investment fraud prosecution unit in the United States

Education, Licensing and Professional Memberships

Southern Methodist University School of Law, Dallas, TX, Doctorate of Jurisprudence

Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, Lynchburg, Virginia, BA English, Minor Business and Economics

United States District Court, Northern District of Texas

State Bar of Texas

• Family Law Section
• Health Law Section
• Alternative Dispute Resolution Section

Austin Bar Association

• Family Law Section
• Health Law Section
• Alternative Dispute Resolution Section

Texas Family Law Foundation

Austin Health Lawyers Association

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