New York, NY (October 31, 2012) — Cliff Barnes started his legal career at Epstein Becker Green in 1982 at the age of 32 as a second-year associate in the Health Care and Life Sciences practice in the firm's Washington, D.C., office. Over the years, he rose through the ranks and became the first African American minority partner at the firm. Today, Barnes is one of the key rainmakers and leaders at the firm and is well-respected in the health care industry among clients, peers, and colleagues.
"It is not typical for most attorneys in this day and age to be with the same firm where they started their careers, much less stay for 30 years," said Barnes. Looking back at the early days, the first few years at EBG were rocky, as Barnes adjusted to the firm, its culture, pace, and expectations. Barnes said that William Kopit and Steven Epstein, co-founder of the firm, played a key role in mentoring him in those early days with the firm.
"William and Steven's efforts epitomized the firm's commitment to diversity and inclusion and providing employment and advancement opportunities for minorities, women, and persons from other traditionally excluded groups. As a minority, having an entrepreneurial work environment that fosters and promotes a diverse workforce means the world to me and enabled and still enables me to have a successful career," stated Barnes, who has served on the firm's Diversity and Professional Development Committee and is now Chair of the Ethnic Minority Partners Affinity Group.
For the past 30 years, Barnes has built a significant book of business for his health care practice and has a dynamic career representing a wide range of health care providers — ranging from hospitals, hospital systems, nursing homes, ancillary service companies; managed care companies, concentrating in Medicare and Medicaid managed care companies; non-profit associations; and contract research organizations. He counsels and represents clients on key issues related to mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and various forms of contracting, such as risk arrangements, international transactions, antitrust issues, fraud and abuse, compliance programs, and federal and state regulation, including insurance regulation and state health planning regulation.
"My goal and the goal of the firm are to mentor, develop, and promote the next generation of leaders," said Barnes. "As a firm, we have created a platform for current and future associates and junior partners including minority associates and junior partners to build their own practice, create their own career path, and make it their own. This is a concept that goes back to our three founders."
Barnes continued, "We encourage our associates and junior partners to embrace what the firm has to offer them in terms of carving out a niche that they are passionate about becoming a trailblazer and pioneer in their own right. If I can do it, they can too."
At EBG, Barnes currently serves as Co-Chair of the firm's Health Plan Compliance Group. He is also very active in industry organizations and currently serves as a board member of the National Association of Health Services Executives and the Medicaid Health Plans of America. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the American Health Lawyers Association, the American Society of Association Executives, the District of Columbia Bar Association, and the National Bar Association.
About Epstein Becker Green
Epstein Becker & Green, P.C., is a national law firm with a primary focus on health care and life sciences; employment, labor, and workforce management; and litigation and business disputes. Founded in 1973 as an industry-focused firm, Epstein Becker Green has decades of experience serving clients in health care, financial services, retail, hospitality, and technology, among other industries, representing entities from startups to Fortune 100 companies. Operating in locations throughout the United States and supporting domestic and multinational clients, the firm’s attorneys are committed to uncompromising client service and legal excellence. For more information, visit www.ebglaw.com.
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