Lucy J. Karl

Shareholder/Director

Biography

Lucy commenced her legal career in Chicago where her practice focused on complex business litigation and securities fraud. She continued this focus after moving back to New Hampshire in 1987.

A shareholder at Shaheen & Gordon, Lucy represents corporations and individuals in securities fraud and abuse matters, healthcare and general corporate arenas, as well as regulatory, criminal and internal investigations and compliance reviews.

Lucy counsels healthcare clients on compliance with federal and state regulations and billing and coding practices. She represents hospitals, medical staffs and physicians in internal investigations, disputes regarding privileges, and recruiting and employment contract issues.

Lucy’s securities practice includes the representation of both individuals and corporations in civil and criminal litigation and investigations, and regulatory matters before the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the New Hampshire Bureau of Securities Regulation. She was appointed receiver of a failed brokerage firm by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire upon the recommendation of the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. She served as a member of the New Hampshire Bureau of Securities Regulation task force charged with drafting revisions to the state securities laws for review and adoption by the state legislature. Lucy has served as an arbitrator in securities, complex business and employment disputes for over twenty years.

Representative Cases:

  • Represent hospitals in a wide array of compliance related issues including fraud and abuse, HIPAA, and billing and reimbursement issues.
  • Successfully defended a physician in federal Office of Inspector General investigation.
  • Successfully defended a CFO of a publicly traded company in a criminal investigation, alleging violations of federal securities laws and improper revenue recognition; after an extensive investigation no criminal charges were brought.
  • Successfully defended a public official in an investigation alleging violations of federal law arising from his performance as a public official; after an extensive investigation no criminal charges were filed.
  • Provide an array of legal advice to community mental health centers in the area of Medicare and Medicaid matters and investigations.
  • Successfully defended health care providers in proceedings before New Hampshire regulatory boards.
  • Successfully defended a Hospital sued by physician arising from the revocation of his hospital privileges.
  • Successfully defended a Hospital sued in suit where the plaintiff claimed that the Hospital discriminated against uninsured patients.
  • Has served as defense counsel to a national automobile insurance provider since 1997.
  • Successfully defended Jonathan Harr, author of the New York Times bestseller, A Civil Action, and his publisher, Random House, in a defamation suit brought against them for statements appearing in the book. The dismissal was affirmed by the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • Successfully defended former all-pro quarterback, Jim Kelly of the Buffalo Bills, in a libel action brought by Kelly’s former attorney and agent. The jury’s defense verdict was affirmed on appeal to the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • Successfully represented the Concord Monitor in a defamation action brought by a person challenging the reportage of his criminal trial and arrest. After extensive briefing the case was dismissed on a motion for summary judgment.
  • Arbitrator with over 20 years of experience arbitrating disputes for the American Arbitration Association, and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (formerly the National Association of Securities Dealers and the New York Stock Exchange).

Admissions:

  • Member of the Bar-New Hampshire, 1988
  • Member of the Bar-Illinois, 1982
  • United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire, 1988
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 1982
  • United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, 2000
  • United States Supreme Court, 1988

Professional Associations and Memberships:

  • New Hampshire Bar Association
  • American Bar Association: Business Law, Health Law, Dispute Resolution Sections

Community Involvement:

  • Families in Transition-Concord Committee, 2007
  • New Hampshire Women’s Policy Institute-Volunteer, 2007
  • New Hampshire Bureau of Securities Regulation Task Force, 2003-2005
  • Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Board of Directors, 2000-2006
  • Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Board of Directors, 1992-1999
  • Health Options, Board of Directors, 1988-1992
  • Families in Transition, Board of Directors, 2009-present
  • Red River Theatres, Board of Directors, 2009-present

Career:

  • B.A. Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 1977
  • J.D., Washington University School of Law, St. Louis, MO, 1982
  • Karon, Morrison & Savikas, Chicago, IL, 1982-1983
  • Sachnoff, Weaver & Rubenstein, Chicago, IL, 1983-1987
  • Hinkley & Hahn/Hahn & Associates, Manchester, NH, 1988-1993
  • Shaheen & Gordon, Concord, NH, 1997-present