Roopali represents four initiative campaigns who filed a Petition for Special Action with the Arizona Supreme Court to seek an order permitting them to use the E-Qual system to obtain online signatures

Roopali Desai Honored in 2019 Best of the Capitol Awards

Roopali Desai, one of Arizona’s leading political and election lawyers and civil litigators, was named Best Capitol/Political Lawyer in the 2019 Best of the Capitol awards presented by Arizona Capitol Times. These awards honor local individuals and organizations who have the greatest impact on Arizona politics and policy, and who are dedicated to making a difference in Arizona. Nominees for Best Capitol/Political Lawyer are experts in government law and policy, as well as election law.  They use their expertise and experience to obtain successes for their clients, which include candidates, political committees, and corporations among others, and to shape the future of the state. Honorees demonstrate a deep understanding of the government and legal system and are highly respected by their peers and across party lines. “It’s...

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Kristen Rosati and Melissa Soliz Present on GDPR, HIPAA Compliance at Arizona Health Information Management Association Annual Meeting

As healthcare information regulations continue to evolve in the United States and worldwide, Kristen Rosati and Melissa Soliz broke down key considerations regarding data protection, HIPAA compliance, and limitations of medical record information regulations in presentations at the Arizona Health Information Management Association’s (AzHIMA) annual meeting. A Trip Through the GDPR (European Union General Data Protection Regulation) Kristen shared what healthcare companies in the U.S. should understand about the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including how and when it applies to them. Kristen is considered one of the nation’s leading “Big Data” and HIPAA compliance attorneys. She has deep experience in data breaches, health information exchange, data sharing for research and clinical integration initiatives, clinical research compliance, clinical trials contracting, and biobanking and genomic privacy. Integrating Behavioral Health Information: Compliance with 42 CFR Part 2, HIPAA and State Confidentiality...

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Sam Coppersmith Breaks Down Director and Officer Liabilities, Responsibilities in National Business Institute Webcast

In a webinar for the National Business Institute (NBI), Sam Coppersmith discussed the financial constraints and increased liabilities that directors and officers face in both privately held and publicly traded companies. Sam and Michelle Huhnke of Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer, LLP in Chicago discussed how to maintain legal and financial compliance by fully understanding director and officer roles, duties, and liabilities under state law. They shared tips on identifying potential issues proactively and examined top liabilities, including compensation issues, confidentiality, and joint ventures, and analyzed best practices and protocols for self-protection. Sam is a regular speaker for NBI, sharing his expertise on numerous topics related to nonprofit organizations, including best practices in nonprofit governance, operation and policy-making guidance, and intellectual property concerns for nonprofits. He has more than three decades of experience assisting local and national businesses...

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Andy Gaona Elected President of Board of Directors of Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest

Andy Gaona, an accomplished election lawyer and commercial litigator, was recently elected President of the Board of Directors of the Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest. He will serve a two-year term at the helm, helping to guide the nonprofit law firm in fulfilling its mission of ensuring government accountability and protecting the rights of underserved Arizonans. Founded in 1974, the Center represents individuals and groups in matters involving clean air and water, education and school finance, open government, and healthcare for vulnerable populations, among other critical issues. Staff attorneys litigate and advocate before administrative agencies and the courts at no charge to their clients. The Board of Directors approves litigation and assists with strategic planning and fundraising. Andy has served on the board since 2014. “The Center fills a critical gap in Arizona’s...

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Kristen Rosati on Planning Committee for National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Workshop on Data Sharing

Kristen Rosati Discusses Limitations of EMR Software, Benefits of Advanced HIPAA Training with Healthcare Risk Management

Among the nation’s top HIPAA compliance and “Big Data” attorneys, Kristen Rosati discussed the limitations of electronic medical record (EMR) software and the need for advanced HIPAA training in hospitals with Healthcare Risk Management. Kristen joined other law, technology, and compliance professionals in discussing the need for HIPAA training and audits after a Chicago hospital reportedly fired more than 50 employees in response to improper access of actor Jussie Smollett’s medical records. Kristen noted that while some EMR software has good role-based limitations for employees, it cannot determine if a user who has treatment access to files has a treatment relationship with a particular patient. Kristen explained that stopping infractions before they occur is nearly impossible, but audits do reveal when employees have accessed medical records that they shouldn’t have. She also shared that since HIPAA became law...

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Melissa Soliz Discusses Impact of Extended Comment Period for Proposed Rules on Interoperability, Information Blocking in AHLA Bulletin

Melissa Soliz shared her expertise in information blocking and electronic health records rules, regulations, and compliance in a bulletin for members of the American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA). On April 19, 2019, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services extended the comment period for two proposed rules related to promoting interoperability of electronic health information. Melissa and co-author Rebecca Frigy Romine of Polsinelli PC broke down each rule, including what health lawyers need to know about the impact of these rules on health care organizations. The first proposed rule, from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, addresses interoperability, information blocking, and the ONC Health IT Certification Program. The second rule, proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, addresses patient protection and the Affordable Care Act for multiple branches of Medicare and Medicaid programs including...

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