James R. Mitchell — Managing Partner
Speciality: Healthcare Litigation & Medical Malpractice
James has led Health Law Offices since 2005, building it into one of the most respected healthcare law practices in the country. A graduate of Harvard Law School and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, he brings a uniquely integrated medical-legal perspective to every case. With over $200 million in verdicts and settlements personally obtained, James is widely regarded as one of the nation’s foremost medical malpractice litigators.
He has testified before Congress on healthcare liability reform and is a frequent speaker at the American Health Law Association’s annual conference.
Credentials: MD (Johns Hopkins) · JD (Harvard Law) · Board Certified · Best Lawyers in America 2024 · Chambers USA
Dr. Sarah Chen, J.D. — Senior Partner
Speciality: Medical Malpractice & Patient Rights
Dr. Chen practised obstetrics and gynaecology for eight years before earning her law degree from Yale. That clinical background gives her an unparalleled ability to assess the standard of care, challenge opposing expert testimony, and explain complex medical facts to lay juries with clarity and authority. She has recovered over $150 million for injured patients and their families throughout her legal career.
Dr. Chen is a leading voice in patient rights advocacy and has published extensively in both medical and legal journals on issues of informed consent and reproductive rights.
Credentials: MD (Columbia) · JD (Yale Law) · Board Certified · Super Lawyers · AHLA Fellow
Emily Hartwell — Associate Partner
Speciality: HIPAA Compliance & Healthcare Regulatory
Emily is the firm’s leading expert in healthcare compliance and regulatory law. A graduate of Georgetown Law, she spent five years at the Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights before joining Health Law Offices — a background that gives her rare insight into how regulators think, investigate, and determine enforcement priorities.
She has designed HIPAA compliance programmes for over 200 healthcare organisations and has successfully guided clients through numerous OCR investigations without civil monetary penalties.
Credentials: JD (Georgetown) · CIPP/US Certified · Former HHS/OCR · Board Certified
Michael Torres — Partner
Speciality: Healthcare Transactions & Corporate Law
Michael leads the firm’s transactional practice, advising healthcare organisations on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships. A Stanford Law graduate, he brings two decades of deal experience to complex healthcare transactions, with particular expertise in the regulatory diligence required under the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law.
He has advised on healthcare transactions aggregating over $2 billion in total value, including multi-system hospital mergers, private equity acquisitions of physician groups, and the sale of specialty pharmaceutical companies.
Credentials: JD (Stanford Law) · MBA (Wharton) · Board Certified · Chambers USA
Our Culture
Health Law Offices was founded on the belief that great legal outcomes require not just brilliant lawyers, but lawyers who genuinely care about the people they serve. We maintain a deliberately selective caseload so that every client receives the full, undivided attention of a senior attorney. We do not pass matters to junior associates without oversight. We communicate proactively — because uncertainty about the status of your legal matter is one of the most stressful aspects of any case.
Our team also has a deep commitment to pro bono healthcare work, donating over 500 hours annually to representing uninsured patients in medical malpractice matters and healthcare access disputes.