Michael G. VanBuren

Mike works with clients on complex health care matters including joint ventures, hospital-physician integration transactions, practice acquisitions, physician employment agreements, reimbursement issues and Medicare/Medicaid fraud and abuse and HIPAA compliance. He also provides day-to-day corporate counseling to clients outside of the health care sector, with a focus on negotiating a broad range of commercial contracts, including general terms and conditions of sale and purchase, services arrangements, supply and distribution agreements, marketing agreements, and confidentiality/non-disclosure agreements, along with appropriate contract risk mitigation strategies. Mike’s role is to protect clients’ business and strategic objectives and interests while also disarming unproductive conflict and helping guide matters towards a productive and successful outcome. He works collaboratively with leaders and front-line employees to provide advice that is practical, useful and timely.

Mike also counsels clients on navigating federal and state campaign finance, lobbying registration and tax-exempt organization requirements and laws governing electioneering activities. He advises tax-exempt and nonprofit organizations on formation, governance and transactional matters, working closing with organizational leaders to be mindful of the organizations’ missions while also recommending steps to help guard the organizations’ status.

Mike is a frequent author and speaker as well as an active member of the community.

Honors & Recognitions

• The Best Lawyers in America^®, Health Care Law (2021-2025)
• Ohio Super Lawyers, Ohio Rising Stars (2013-2020)
• Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, "30 For The Future" Young Professional (2015)

Education

J.D., cum laude, Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Editor-in-Chief, Health Matrix: Journal of Law-Medicine, 2007

M.A., George Washington University School of Political Management, 2004

B.A., cum laude, Vanderbilt University, 2002

Professional & Community

• American Health Lawyers Association, Physician Organizations Practice Group, Vice-Chair Member Engagement
• Society for Ohio Health Care Attorneys (Ohio Hospital Association), Director, Northeast District
• Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Health Law Section, Chair
• Summit County Community Partnership, Chair, Board of Trustees
• Western Reserve Academy, Alumni Association Board, Vice President
• Akron Bar Association Health Law Section, Past Chair
• Ohio State Bar Association’s Leadership Academy, Participant (2016)