Arbitrator, Attorney, Mediator

Partner, Founder, Howlett Mediation Services, LLC, 2017 – Present; Senior Counsel, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP (Ret. 2016), 2004-2016; Counsel, Mayer Brown, 2000-2004; Head of Corporate Transactions/Health Law Unit, Assistant State’s Attorney, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, 1996-2000; Associate General Counsel, American Dental Association, 1993-1996; Assistant State’s Attorney, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, 1987-1993; Law Clerk to the Hon. William J. Bauer, Judge, 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, 1985-1987; Fellow to Institute of Health Law, Loyola University of Chicago Law School, 1992-1993; Adjunct Professor and Lecturer of Law, Loyola Law School, 1987-2000.<br/>

Advised mature businesses as well as start-up and emerging growth businesses in home health, medical device companies in the areas of federal and state regulation. Advised real estate clients in all aspects of general regulatory licensure issues and regulatory requirements for merger of national home health companies. Advised innovative biotechnology companies about changing payment and delivery models and evolving regulations and requirements in anticipation to adapt to the evolving complexities of technology and the regulatory and business landscape. Advised clients on all aspects of Medicare and Medicaid law and sophisticated advice and services.<br/><br/>Experience in many diverse areas and across a variety of industry segments, including hospitals and health systems, research institutions, physician group practices, long-term care facilities, durable medical equipment suppliers, home health agencies, and hospices. <br/><br/>Advised other ancillary providers such as ambulance companies and diagnostic facilities; clients about probate, elder law, special needs trusts and guardianship issues. Advised biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical companies and healthcare consulting organizations on the protection and security of individually identifiable health information required by federal and state laws. <br/><br/>As Associate General Counsel, American Dental Association, represented trade association in all aspects of the dental industry’s state and federal legal requirements. Represented association in the supervision of outside litigation; advised association on human resource benefits and employment issues.<br/><br/>Prepared association’s record retention policy, sexual harassment policy, and arbitration policy. As Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney and head of Corporate Transactions/Health Law Unit, advised various County agencies, including Cook County hospitals and clinics under the then Bureau of Health Services, Cook County Board of Commissioners, County Purchasing Department, County Coroner, and the Sheriff of Cook County. Advised on legal contracts, regulatory, licensure, health care law, fraud, abuse, Stark, and anti-kickback issues in the government environment.<br/><br/>As needed, participated in projects for corporate clients in gaming and advised on legislation bills for adoption law reform.

Mediated two claims in small claims court. One was a commercial dispute over a truck transmission. The second involved an eviction case between a landlord and tenant, which was settled before eviction was ordered. Mediated a matter in probate court involving a guardianship dispute over care and placement of a disabled adult, which involved several family members and multi-state laws. Mediated a family law case.

Commercial dispute between parties in small claims court over a truck transmission; parties proceeded to trial. <br/><br/>Landlord/tenant case settled before eviction ordered.<br/><br/>Dispute between family members over proper care and placement of disabled adult; matter settled after parties interests and needs were identified.

Trained to use facilitative mediation by which the mediator actively attempts to identify the needs and interests of the disputing parties in an effort to determine if a mutually-beneficial solution is available to facilitate a conversation which may or may not lead to a settlement agreement. Subsequent experience has taught me to also be flexible with the process to best meet the needs of the parties. <br/><br/>Approach to mediation includes using my 33 years of experience in law practice (government, association and private sector law firm) and my expertise in the health law, litigation and other transactional and regulatory concentrations, to explore what motivates parties to take their positions. Inherent in the process is my effort to have a comprehensive understanding of the often complex issues and relevant laws. I prepare before each mediation where possible, and ask the parties to be forthcoming with relevant information and documents, so I can best facilitate a settlement if possible.

Loyola University of Chicago School of Law (JD - 1985; LLM in Health Law - 1994); University of Notre Dame Law School, (1981-1983); Marquette University (BS - 1970).

Admitted to the Bar: Illinois, 1985; United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 1996; Supreme Court of the United States, 1991; United States Court of Appeals, 1986.

$3,200 Per Day

English

United States of America

Winnetka, IL