Jeremy Earl
Partner
Office: Washington, DC
Years at the Firm: 10
What is your favorite part about practicing healthcare law at McDermott?
My favorite part about practicing at McDermott is the challenging and constantly evolving nature of the work. Our clients put trust in us to advise them on their toughest legal questions and business challenges. I don’t take that trust lightly and it is exciting to come to work every day to meet and exceed the high expectations clients rightly have for us.
What is the biggest opportunity and greatest challenge facing clients in your area of focus today?
I represent managed care companies, which has traditionally meant health insurers and health maintenance organizations (HMOs). Due to legislative and competitive factors, healthcare financing and delivery is rapidly evolving and new models are being introduced to compete with traditional health insurers and HMOs. In 2012, Ezekiel Emanuel and Jeffrey Liebman boldly predicted in the New York Times that “[b]y 2020, the American health insurance industry will be extinct” and replaced by ACOs. That this has not happened is, at least in part, due to innovation by health insurers through such efforts as expanding value-based payment models.
At the same time, the traditional roles of providers and health insurers are blurring and providers and risk-bearing intermediaries are introducing innovative ways to finance healthcare delivery that compete with health insurers. While this has increased competitive pressures on managed care companies, I am excited to support companies who are driving this innovation.
What kind of client work gets you most excited when it comes across your desk?
I get most excited when a client comes to me with a new business relationship or innovative venture and I get the opportunity to be a strategic advisor to help them navigate new legal and business challenges. It is exciting to support clients that are thinking creatively and working to solve some of the biggest challenges facing the healthcare industry. Because I focus my practice on clients operating in the managed care space, I am able to provide a broad perspective on trends in managed care that (hopefully) allows me to be a more valuable partner than if I were only able to provide narrowly focused legal advice.
What is the proudest moment of your career to date?
My proudest moment would have to be working with a number of McDermott colleagues to act as health regulatory counsel CVS Health in its successful acquisition of Aetna, in what was the largest transaction of the year in 2018.
What is your favorite decoration in your office?
My favorite decoration has to be my poster from Bruce Springsteen’s recent Broadway show. I saw the Boss on Broadway with a great friend who has been to several Boss shows with me. It was an unforgettable experience to be in the 5th row to take in such a great performance. Every time I look at the poster it brings back great memories. And makes me want to watch the recording of Bruce’s performance again on Netflix!
