Bass, Berry & Sims Establishes Specialty Pharmacy, Pharma Services and Distribution Services Practice

Former chief counsel and VP of strategic development, and assistant general counsel for Fortune 500 health care provider, to lead new practice area.

Bass, Berry & Sims PLC is pleased to announce the establishment of its Specialty Pharmacy, Pharma Services & Distribution practice.

The new practice will be led by Michael R. Hess, former Chief Counsel and Vice President of Strategic Development at Accredo Health Group. Hess has lateraled to join the firm’s Memphis office. The firm also welcomes Shannon L. Wiley, who joins the Pharma Services & Distribution practice area and also is based in the firm’s Memphis office.

“As clients face the increasingly complex regulatory landscape within the pharmaceutical industry, we are excited to respond to their needs by adding Mike Hess, a true legal leader in the specialty pharmacy industry,” stated Managing Partner Todd J. Rolapp. “With experience as both a specialty pharmacy executive and attorney, Mike is well-versed in balancing legal and business issues to serve clients’ needs and further their business objectives. The additions of Mike and Shannon greatly expand our firm’s capabilities and advance our shared commitment to the highest quality of legal work and client service.”

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About the Specialty Pharmacy, Pharma Services & Distribution Practice

Bass, Berry & Sims’ Specialty Pharmacy, Pharma Services & Distribution practice is comprised of a multidisciplinary team focused on the full spectrum of issues that impact clients within the pharmaceutical industry. The practice provides practical business advice and legal guidance to help with trade and distribution matters, including contractual, regulatory and operational requirements unique to the pharmaceutical sector.

About Michael R. Hess

In addition to his roles with Accredo Health Group, Hess also served as Assistant General Counsel for Accredo’s parent company, Medco Health Solutions, which currently ranks 35 on the Fortune 500 list. Currently, Hess serves as outside general counsel to many of the largest independent specialty pharmacy companies, providing strategic business advice, as well as transactional and regulatory guidance. He has participated in more than half of all publicly announced specialty pharmacy transactions in excess of $30 million coming to market in 2012 and 2013.

At Bass, Berry & Sims, Hess focuses his practice on pharmaceutical trade and distribution, with clients ranging from small and large independent and captured specialty pharmacies, specialty drug manufacturers, wholesalers and group purchasing organizations. He also represents reimbursement hubs, pharma support organizations and 340B covered entities.

Beyond his legal practice, Hess is highly involved with local and national professional and community organizations. He currently serves on the advisory board for the National Infusion Center Association and on the board of trustees for the Memphis Leadership Academy.

Hess earned his undergraduate degree from Mississippi College, his master’s degree from Mississippi State and his law degree from the University of Mississippi.

About Shannon L. Wiley

Shannon Wiley focuses her practice on healthcare regulatory matters with a specific emphasis in the specialty pharmacy industry, providing legal guidance on issues related to the pharmaceutical supply chain, reimbursement hub services, and co-pay and coupon program services. She also provides regulatory guidance to pharmacies, drug manufacturers, group purchasing organizations, clinical laboratories, hospital systems, as well as other healthcare entities on issues such as the 340B Program, the Anti-Kickback Statute, Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Wiley earned her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Memphis.

SOURCE: Bass, Berry & Sims