Patricia Verdugo

Patricia's practice focuses on healthcare law, including the representation of hospitals, clinics, physician groups, and other aspects of integrated delivery systems. In addition, her practice includes the representation of clients on state and local tax issues. Prior to joining BL&M, Patricia was an associate at O'Melveny & Myers, where she advised clients on healthcare regulatory and compliance matters and on tax and securities laws applicable to executive compensation and employee health benefits. Patricia also previously worked as a tax consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG, where she advised clients on state and local tax issues, and at Farmers Insurance Group, where she managed federal and state tax audits.

In her healthcare practice, Patricia has assisted leading healthcare organizations in mitigating litigation and enforcement risk under the False Claims Act and Stark Law. She has conducted internal investigations and witness interviews in the process of advising clients on applicable government reporting obligations. In addition, Patricia has assisted health plans and health insurers in complying with the Affordable Care Act and advised healthcare organizations with respect to HIPAA/HITECH privacy and security regulations and state health information privacy laws. She has assisted clients in drafting HIPAA policies and procedures, Notice of Privacy Practices, Business Associate Agreements, and Data Use Agreements.

In her tax practice, Patricia has assisted clients in the areas of tax planning and tax audit defense, including sales and use and property tax appeals. For clients operating in multiple states, she has provided advice on differing state income tax rules, including nexus, apportionment, combined and consolidated filing, unitary rules, and partnership rules. Patricia has effectively managed IRS and state revenue and insurance department audits and helped clients significantly reduce tax assessments. Patricia has also advised clients on tax and securities laws applicable to executive compensation and employee benefits. She has advised Fortune 500 companies and start-up companies on employee benefits issues in the context of mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions.

Education:
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, J.D., cum laude, 2009
Honors: Order of the Coif; St. Thomas More Law Honor Society;
Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society; Sayre Macneil Scholar;
First Honors Award in Criminal Tax Practice and
Procedure and Ethical Lawyering.
United States Attorney's Office Externship.
University of Southern California, Master of Business Taxation, 1997
Loyola Marymount University, Bachelor of Business Administration, 1994