Emma Pelkey

Health care clients turn to attorney Emma Pelkey for their regulatory compliance and litigation needs.

Emma regularly counsels health care clients on issues related to provider operations, patient care, risk management, capacity and consent for treatment, barriers to discharge, privacy issues, and compliance with anti-discrimination laws and regulations. She is known for using creative problem-solving skills and her ability to think outside the box to help clients navigate complex legal problems and respond to crisis situations in a way that promotes good patient care. She is frequently called upon to advise on state and federal regulatory compliance issues, review and develop policies and procedures, provide training and education, and support clients’ legislative interests.

Over the past decade, Emma has become a go-to advisor for complex legal and regulatory issues that arise in the behavioral health space. In that role, she has developed a proven track record of success in helping community hospitals and providers advocate on behalf of their patients to receive meaningful treatment in appropriate long-term settings and improve access to behavioral health services for individuals in the community.

Emma also has a robust litigation practice. She represents clients in all phases of litigation in state and federal courts, at both the trial and appellate levels. She also handles administrative hearings, regulatory and licensing board proceedings, and investigations. Emma’s litigation practice includes a wide variety of matters, including class actions and cases involving health care, employment, products liability, professional liability, business, and data security disputes. In the employment space, her experience includes advising and defending employers on a broad range of employment law issues, including discrimination and harassment, disability accommodations, and terminations.

Read more

Emma is a frequent speaker and author on behavioral health issues, EMTALA, and workplace violence. She serves as the risk management subcommittee chair of the Behavioral Health Practice Group for the American Health Law Association.

Before joining Epstein Becker Green, Emma was a partner of a national law firm and a member of its Healthcare, Behavioral Health, Labor & Employment, and Healthcare Regulatory & Compliance Practices.

Read less

• The Best Lawyers of America, "Ones to Watch," Health Care Law, Litigation - Labor and Employment (2021 to 2025)
• The Legal 500 United States, Healthcare: Health Insurers (2024)

Education

• University of Oregon School of Law (J.D., 2014)
  • Managing Editor, Oregon Law Review
• Lewis and Clark College (B.A., 2009)

Professional & Community Involvement

• American Health Law Association, Behavioral Health Practice Group, Chair of Risk Management Subcommittee
• Oregon Law Students Public Interest Fund, Community Board Member

Past Events