100% Healthcare for more than 30 years

Scott Nichols has been representing health care providers exclusively for more than 30 years.  In the early years, Scott defended physicians and hospitals in medical malpractice matters in California and Texas – and he loved it.  In the early 2000’s, tort reform legislation was passed in Texas imposing caps on noneconomic damages – severely limiting the volume of medical malpractice matters being filed going forward.  Great news for his clients – but Scott needed to retool his practice.

In the mid-2000’s, with the help of a mentor or two, Scott leveraged what he had learned representing healthcare providers – including a strong focus on listening to what was important to them – and educated himself on issues concerning the business of healthcare.

Scott has developed a practice including representation of health care providers fighting health insurance companies for their very lifeblood – reimbursement properly  due them.  Scott has pursued matters in federal courts in Texas and California seeking unpaid ERISA benefits, alleging fraud and other typical intentional insurance company behavior where they, as a strategy, seek to delay or deny reimbursement.  He has also defended against insurance company counterclaims including alleged fraud and RICO violations.

His focus on the business of healthcare more often than not does not result in litigation.  Scott counsels his clients regarding best practices on a wide range of subjects – from reimbursement to fiduciary duty obligations in a health care business.  He represents health care providers in connection with in-network and out-of-network/ERISA reimbursement, commercial health insurance investigations, Medicaid and Medicare (CMS) and government/Department of Justice investigations and health care commercial disputes and litigation – including physician partnership breakups.  Scott represents providers in complex medical peer review matters and licensing board matters.  His clients include individual physicians, physician practice groups, laboratories, surgery centers, imaging centers, free standing emergency rooms, urgent care centers and hospitals.

Biglaw

Scott spent almost 20 years with a large law firm where he served in several leadership roles.  He was elected to the management committee of the firm twice – non-consecutive terms.  He served as Practice Unit Leader for Industry Litigation for several years.  He was voted by firm associates as Mentor of the Year – his greatest honor.  In fact, Scott was mentor to Zach Thomas when he was an associate, now his partner in this firm.

Professional/Community Organization

Scott helped start the Houston chapter of the Health Care Think Tank.  His former firm was the first and one of three anchor members.  Scott was a member of the Greater Houston Healthcare Alliance for several years.

To help him keep perspective on what’s really important in life, Scott enjoys giving back to his community.  For years he served as a board member of the Platform Youth, Inc. – the mission of which was to serve at risk youth, 11-17 years old, and to expose them to opportunity.  Currently, Scott serves on the Houston Leadership Board of the Arthritis Foundation.

Academic

Scott earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin in 1984.  He returned to Dallas, his hometown, to attend Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and he graduated in 1987.

BAR Admisions

Texas 1987

California 2002

Personal

Scott enjoys spending time with friends and family.  He is fortunate to have made and stayed in touch with friends from all over the world.

Scott’s passion in his free time is reading and learning about American history – especially American presidential history.  He’s known to say, “Had I to do all over again, I would have majored in history rather than business at UT.”  He’s also been known to say, half-jokingly, that he is a frustrated high school history teacher.