Michael R. Hess
Member
Memphis
(901) 543-5713
mhess@bassberry.com
https://www.bassberry.com/professionals/hess-michael-r/
Michael Hess leads the firm’s Specialty Pharmacy & Pharmaceuticals Practice Group. His ability to balance legal issues with business issues has earned him a reputation as a go-to lawyer in the specialty pharmacy industry.
Mike’s ability to provide practical and impactful advice to specialty pharmacies is rooted in his first-hand experience as former Chief Counsel & VP of Strategic Development of Accredo Health Group, former Assistant General Counsel of Medco Health Solutions and as a private practice attorney to the industry. He now supports 40 percent of the largest independent specialty pharmacy companies located from Los Angeles to Orlando, serving as the outside general counsel. In addition, he has participated in many of the specialty pharmacy transactions coming to market during the past three years. Mike’s strategic business advice and transactional and regulatory guidance helps manufacturers and pharmacies get high-cost, complex specialty drugs from the manufacturer’s warehouse to the patient’s door, safely, legally, effectively and efficiently.
His practice involves a range of legal counseling for leaders in the pharmacy industry, including:
- Specialty Pharmacy – Helping large and small specialty pharmacies develop their businesses through contract negotiation and counseling on regulatory and operational requirements.
- Drug Distribution – Providing legal, regulatory and negotiation support related to the supply chain to specialty and retail pharmacies, wholesale distribution centers, reimbursement hub services, co-pay and coupon program services, adverse event or clinical hotline services, and associated software and program design agreements.
- 340B Pharmacy Contracts – Structuring contract arrangements for hospitals, FQHCs, Ryan White Clinics and hemophilia treatment centers to access 340B discounted drugs for eligible patients.
- Transactional Support – Advising private equity firms and strategic buyers in the identification, evaluation, bid process, diligence and acquisition of potential specialty pharmacy and acquisition targets.
Previously, Mike was a shareholder of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC where he led the firm’s Drug, Device & Life Sciences industry team.
Memberships
American Health Law Association (AHLA) — RAP Practice Group, Vice Chair (2004-2007)
Institute for Health Law & Policy (iHeLP), University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law — Advisory Board
Memphis Leadership Academy — Board of Trustees
National Infusion Center Association — Advisory Board
Make-a-Wish of the Mid-South — Board of Directors
Publications
Media Mentions & Firm News
Accolades
Chambers USA — Healthcare (2016-2023)
BTI Client Service All-Stars (2016, 2019)
Martindale-Hubbell — AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated
The Best Lawyers in America© — Health Care Law (2014-2024)
Best Lawyers® — Memphis Health Care Law “Lawyer of the Year” (2018)
Client Choice Award — Healthcare & Life Sciences (2019)
Mid-South Super Lawyers (2009, 2018-2023)
Related Services
Related Industires
Education
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University of Mississippi School of Law - J.D., 1996
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Mississippi State University - M.A., 1993
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Mississippi College - B.A., 1992
Admissions
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Alabama, 2005
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Tennessee, 2003
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Mississippi, 1996
"Michael Hess is highly regarded for his expertise in advising specialty pharmacies on transactions. Market sources remark that he is 'a very creative thinker and understands business' while a client comments: 'Above all, he is a person who takes a complex matter and makes it simple.'"
From Chambers USA 2020
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University of Mississippi School of Law - J.D., 1996
-
Mississippi State University - M.A., 1993
-
Mississippi College - B.A., 1992
-
Alabama, 2005
-
Tennessee, 2003
-
Mississippi, 1996
"Michael Hess is highly regarded for his expertise in advising specialty pharmacies on transactions. Market sources remark that he is 'a very creative thinker and understands business' while a client comments: 'Above all, he is a person who takes a complex matter and makes it simple.'"
From Chambers USA 2020