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Bob Coffield

Bob Coffield

Partner

949 Third Ave.
Suite 200
Huntington, WV 25701
bob.coffield@nelsonmullins.com
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Bob brings more than three decades of experience to a dynamic everchanging healthcare landscape. Bob has carved a niche as an experienced healthcare and business lawyer, recognized for his handling of complex transactions, regulatory compliance, administrative litigation, and a wide spectrum of business matters.

Bob merges a deep knowledge and understanding of the technical, regulatory, and...

Bob brings more than three decades of experience to a dynamic everchanging healthcare landscape. Bob has carved a niche as an experienced healthcare and business lawyer, recognized for his handling of complex transactions, regulatory compliance, administrative litigation, and a wide spectrum of business matters.

Bob merges a deep knowledge and understanding of the technical, regulatory, and business aspects of healthcare with a practical approach to helping clients achieve results. He combines deep industry knowledge with a keen understanding of the technical and business intricacies of healthcare. This unique blend allows him to navigate and simplify the regulatory environment, delivering strategic solutions tailored to achieve his clients' goals.

He offers guidance to a diverse client base, including health systems, hospitals, physician groups, long term care facilities, rural health clinics, home health providers, health technology companies, healthcare trade organizations, and other healthcare providers. Bob's legal acuity covers the full spectrum of healthcare law, from regulatory compliance, administrative litigation, and healthcare technology to corporate governance and business transactions.

Bob's knowledge extends beyond traditional healthcare industry law. He addresses modern challenges such as health data privacy and security, integration of HIPAA and HITECH compliance, implementation of electronic health record systems, and the legal issues around the use of big data and social media in healthcare. His forward-thinking perspective also encompasses emerging issues like artificial intelligence.

Beyond the healthcare industry, Bob lends his legal experience to small business clients, advising on corporate, transactional, regulatory, and real estate matters. His experience in the oil and gas industry on behalf of landowners and mineral owners, where he has negotiated surface agreements and paid-up mineral leases, showcases his versatility and ability to provide comprehensive legal services across different industry sectors.

Bob is not just a lawyer but a strategic partner to his clients, committed to understanding and addressing the multifaceted legal and business challenges they face. With Bob, clients are equipped with the insight and expertise needed to navigate the complexities of the health care industry and beyond.

Bob Coffield

business aspects of healthcare with a practical approach to helping clients achieve results. He combines deep industry knowledge with a keen understanding of the technical and business intricacies of healthcare. This unique blend allows him to navigate and simplify the regulatory environment, delivering strategic solutions tailored to achieve his clients' goals.

He offers guidance to a diverse client base, including health systems, hospitals, physician groups, long term care facilities, rural health clinics, home health providers, health technology companies, healthcare trade organizations, and other healthcare providers. Bob's legal acuity covers the full spectrum of healthcare law, from regulatory compliance, administrative litigation, and healthcare technology to corporate governance and business transactions.

Bob's knowledge extends beyond traditional healthcare industry law. He addresses modern challenges such as health data privacy and security, integration of HIPAA and HITECH compliance, implementation of electronic health record systems, and the legal issues around the use of big data and social media in healthcare. His forward-thinking perspective also encompasses emerging issues like artificial intelligence.

Beyond the healthcare industry, Bob lends his legal experience to small business clients, advising on corporate, transactional, regulatory, and real estate matters. His experience in the oil and gas industry on behalf of landowners and mineral owners, where he has negotiated surface agreements and paid-up mineral leases, showcases his versatility and ability to provide comprehensive legal services across different industry sectors.

Bob is not just a lawyer but a strategic partner to his clients, committed to understanding and addressing the multifaceted legal and business challenges they face. With Bob, clients are equipped with the insight and expertise needed to navigate the complexities of the health care industry and beyond.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience 

  • Member, Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso PLLC, Charleston, WV (2001–2024)
  • Assistant General Counsel, West Virginia Health Care Authority (1998–2001)
  • Attorney, Robinson & McElwee, PLLC, Charleston, WV (1993–1998) 

Representative Matters

  • Serve as counsel for hospital and hospital health systems, including advising on regulatory compliance issues, licensure requirements, certificate of need, transactions, contract issues, health data, corporate governance, and defending in administrative litigation.
  • Represented several long-term care and skilled nursing facilities to provide strategic guidance in the investment opportunity bidding process, selection of buyer operators and real property investment owners, due diligence, negotiation of terms and definitive agreements, and closing on transactions.
  • Served as counsel for a regional hospice care provider in the development of medical adult day care services and personal care services, including seeking certificate of need and licensure approval.
  • Represented several state and national personal care providers in obtaining certificate of need approval under revised certificate of need standards for personal care providers, administrative litigation challenging the certificate of need approval, and appellate review of the decisions granting the right to offer personal care services.
  • Represented a residential and outpatient facility for women seeking help and recovery for addiction in a state licensure revocation administrative hearing and reversal of the closure of the facility, along with successfully defending the matter on appellate review.
  • Serve as West Virginia counsel for two national home health providers. Handling various health care issues, including development of new service areas and health services, filing certificate of need applications, challenging certificate of need expansion by other home health providers, and advising on a variety of other legal and regulatory issues.
  • Serve as West Virginia counsel for a national dialysis provider, including filing certificate of need applications and challenging other dialysis related certificate of need matters, employment issues, defending litigation and other health care issues.
  • Represent and handle claim on behalf of a national provider of privacy breach and cyber security insurance, including claims filed against West Virginia licensed physicians and other health care providers.
  • Represented a municipally owned West Virginia critical access hospital in the asset purchase sale and transition of the hospital operations to a larger community hospital system.
  • Represented a national behavioral health provider in the acquisition of a West Virginia behavioral health hospital and the development, lease, and operation of a 28-day, 95 bed rural residential treatment facility.
  • Represented a critical access hospital in the construction of a new $36 million critical access hospital facility. This work included providing legal counsel and negotiation of the underlying AIA construction contracts, the interim construction financing and closing with a large regional bank and the permanent financing and closing involving a Rural Development Communities Facilities Loan through the USDA. 
  • Represented various landowner group in West Virginia counties regarding negotiating rights of way for large interstate oil and gas pipeline right of ways. Represented West Virginia oil and gas mineral interest owners in mineral leases, well pad lease agreements and other landowner and mineral owner issues.
  • Defended and settled a United States Department of Justice investigation involving two hospitals who allegedly allocated the market by dividing cancer and open-heart related services to strengthen the provision of services in a rural setting and addressed related state action doctrine issues involving the West Virginia Health Care Authority’s certificate of need regulatory scheme. 
  • Represented and settled a class action involving a group of West Virginia hospitals who were alleged to be overcharging patients for copies of medical records under the statutory structure outlined in the West Virginia Code.
  • Represented and advised multiple hospitals and physician groups on implementation of and compliance with the Privacy and Security Standards under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
  • Represented a group of West Virginia hospitals in a class-action suit who were alleged to be overcharging patients for copies of medical records under the statutory structure outlined in the West Virginia Code.
  • Represented a national home health care provider in for-profit and non-profit joint venture acquisition of hospital-based home health services.
  • Represented physician in Medicaid-related audit, investigation and settlement on billing and reimbursement issues.
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience 

  • Member, Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso PLLC, Charleston, WV (2001–2024)
  • Assistant General Counsel, West Virginia Health Care Authority (1998–2001)
  • Attorney, Robinson & McElwee, PLLC, Charleston, WV (1993–1998) 

Representative Matters

  • Serve as counsel for hospital and hospital health systems, including advising on regulatory compliance issues, licensure requirements, certificate of need, transactions, contract issues, health data, corporate governance, and defending in administrative litigation.
  • Represented several long-term care and skilled nursing facilities to provide strategic guidance in the investment opportunity bidding process, selection of buyer operators and real property investment owners, due diligence, negotiation of terms and definitive agreements, and closing on transactions.
  • Served as counsel for a regional hospice care provider in the development of medical adult day care services and personal care services, including seeking certificate of need and licensure approval.
  • Represented several state and national personal care providers in obtaining certificate of need approval under revised certificate of need standards for personal care providers, administrative litigation challenging the certificate of need approval, and appellate review of the decisions granting the right to offer personal care services.
  • Represented a residential and outpatient facility for women seeking help and recovery for addiction in a state licensure revocation administrative hearing and reversal of the closure of the facility, along with successfully defending the matter on appellate review.
  • Serve as West Virginia counsel for two national home health providers. Handling various health care issues, including development of new service areas and health services, filing certificate of need applications, challenging certificate of need expansion by other home health providers, and advising on a variety of other legal and regulatory issues.
  • Serve as West Virginia counsel for a national dialysis provider, including filing certificate of need applications and challenging other dialysis related certificate of need matters, employment issues, defending litigation and other health care issues.
  • Represent and handle claim on behalf of a national provider of privacy breach and cyber security insurance, including claims filed against West Virginia licensed physicians and other health care providers.
  • Represented a municipally owned West Virginia critical access hospital in the asset purchase sale and transition of the hospital operations to a larger community hospital system.
  • Represented a national behavioral health provider in the acquisition of a West Virginia behavioral health hospital and the development, lease, and operation of a 28-day, 95 bed rural residential treatment facility.
  • Represented a critical access hospital in the construction of a new $36 million critical access hospital facility. This work included providing legal counsel and negotiation of the underlying AIA construction contracts, the interim construction financing and closing with a large regional bank and the permanent financing and closing involving a Rural Development Communities Facilities Loan through the USDA. 
  • Represented various landowner group in West Virginia counties regarding negotiating rights of way for large interstate oil and gas pipeline right of ways. Represented West Virginia oil and gas mineral interest owners in mineral leases, well pad lease agreements and other landowner and mineral owner issues.
  • Defended and settled a United States Department of Justice investigation involving two hospitals who allegedly allocated the market by dividing cancer and open-heart related services to strengthen the provision of services in a rural setting and addressed related state action doctrine issues involving the West Virginia Health Care Authority’s certificate of need regulatory scheme. 
  • Represented and settled a class action involving a group of West Virginia hospitals who were alleged to be overcharging patients for copies of medical records under the statutory structure outlined in the West Virginia Code.
  • Represented and advised multiple hospitals and physician groups on implementation of and compliance with the Privacy and Security Standards under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
  • Represented a group of West Virginia hospitals in a class-action suit who were alleged to be overcharging patients for copies of medical records under the statutory structure outlined in the West Virginia Code.
  • Represented a national home health care provider in for-profit and non-profit joint venture acquisition of hospital-based home health services.
  • Represented physician in Medicaid-related audit, investigation and settlement on billing and reimbursement issues.

Media

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Recognitions

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • Fellow, American Bar Foundation
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Health Care Law (2008–2023, 2025)
    • Lawyer of the Year, Health Care Law, Charleston, WV (2014, 2020, 2025)
  • West Virginia Super Lawyers, Health Care (2010–2023)
  • Chambers USA: Corporate/Commercial: Healthcare (2010–2023)
  • Chambers USA: Healthcare – West Virginia (2024)

Professional Activities

  • American Health Lawyers Association
  • Health Care Law Group, American Bar Association
  • Board Member, West Virginia Health Information Network (2006–2010)
  • Committee Member, Legal Working Group, West Virginia Health Information Security and Privacy Collaborative Project (2006–2007)
  • West Virginia Bar Association
  • Kanawha County Bar Association

Community

  • Housing Outreach Program Express (HOPE), Southern West Virginia (2018–0resent)
  • Founding Member, Charleston Montessori School (2010)
  • Board Member, Create West Virginia (2010–2018)

Bob brings more than three decades of experience to a dynamic everchanging healthcare landscape. Bob has carved a niche as an experienced healthcare and business lawyer, recognized for his handling of complex transactions, regulatory compliance, administrative litigation, and a wide spectrum of business matters.

Bob merges a deep knowledge and understanding of the technical, regulatory, and... business aspects of healthcare with a practical approach to helping clients achieve results. He combines deep industry knowledge with a keen understanding of the technical and business intricacies of healthcare. This unique blend allows him to navigate and simplify the regulatory environment, delivering strategic solutions tailored to achieve his clients' goals.

He offers guidance to a diverse client base, including health systems, hospitals, physician groups, long term care facilities, rural health clinics, home health providers, health technology companies, healthcare trade organizations, and other healthcare providers. Bob's legal acuity covers the full spectrum of healthcare law, from regulatory compliance, administrative litigation, and healthcare technology to corporate governance and business transactions.

Bob's knowledge extends beyond traditional healthcare industry law. He addresses modern challenges such as health data privacy and security, integration of HIPAA and HITECH compliance, implementation of electronic health record systems, and the legal issues around the use of big data and social media in healthcare. His forward-thinking perspective also encompasses emerging issues like artificial intelligence.

Beyond the healthcare industry, Bob lends his legal experience to small business clients, advising on corporate, transactional, regulatory, and real estate matters. His experience in the oil and gas industry on behalf of landowners and mineral owners, where he has negotiated surface agreements and paid-up mineral leases, showcases his versatility and ability to provide comprehensive legal services across different industry sectors.

Bob is not just a lawyer but a strategic partner to his clients, committed to understanding and addressing the multifaceted legal and business challenges they face. With Bob, clients are equipped with the insight and expertise needed to navigate the complexities of the health care industry and beyond.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience 

  • Member, Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso PLLC, Charleston, WV (2001–2024)
  • Assistant General Counsel, West Virginia Health Care Authority (1998–2001)
  • Attorney, Robinson & McElwee, PLLC, Charleston, WV (1993–1998) 

Representative Matters

  • Serve as counsel for hospital and hospital health systems, including advising on regulatory compliance issues, licensure requirements, certificate of need, transactions, contract issues, health data, corporate governance, and defending in administrative litigation.
  • Represented several long-term care and skilled nursing facilities to provide strategic guidance in the investment opportunity bidding process, selection of buyer operators and real property investment owners, due diligence, negotiation of terms and definitive agreements, and closing on transactions.
  • Served as counsel for a regional hospice care provider in the development of medical adult day care services and personal care services, including seeking certificate of need and licensure approval.
  • Represented several state and national personal care providers in obtaining certificate of need approval under revised certificate of need standards for personal care providers, administrative litigation challenging the certificate of need approval, and appellate review of the decisions granting the right to offer personal care services.
  • Represented a residential and outpatient facility for women seeking help and recovery for addiction in a state licensure revocation administrative hearing and reversal of the closure of the facility, along with successfully defending the matter on appellate review.
  • Serve as West Virginia counsel for two national home health providers. Handling various health care issues, including development of new service areas and health services, filing certificate of need applications, challenging certificate of need expansion by other home health providers, and advising on a variety of other legal and regulatory issues.
  • Serve as West Virginia counsel for a national dialysis provider, including filing certificate of need applications and challenging other dialysis related certificate of need matters, employment issues, defending litigation and other health care issues.
  • Represent and handle claim on behalf of a national provider of privacy breach and cyber security insurance, including claims filed against West Virginia licensed physicians and other health care providers.
  • Represented a municipally owned West Virginia critical access hospital in the asset purchase sale and transition of the hospital operations to a larger community hospital system.
  • Represented a national behavioral health provider in the acquisition of a West Virginia behavioral health hospital and the development, lease, and operation of a 28-day, 95 bed rural residential treatment facility.
  • Represented a critical access hospital in the construction of a new $36 million critical access hospital facility. This work included providing legal counsel and negotiation of the underlying AIA construction contracts, the interim construction financing and closing with a large regional bank and the permanent financing and closing involving a Rural Development Communities Facilities Loan through the USDA. 
  • Represented various landowner group in West Virginia counties regarding negotiating rights of way for large interstate oil and gas pipeline right of ways. Represented West Virginia oil and gas mineral interest owners in mineral leases, well pad lease agreements and other landowner and mineral owner issues.
  • Defended and settled a United States Department of Justice investigation involving two hospitals who allegedly allocated the market by dividing cancer and open-heart related services to strengthen the provision of services in a rural setting and addressed related state action doctrine issues involving the West Virginia Health Care Authority’s certificate of need regulatory scheme. 
  • Represented and settled a class action involving a group of West Virginia hospitals who were alleged to be overcharging patients for copies of medical records under the statutory structure outlined in the West Virginia Code.
  • Represented and advised multiple hospitals and physician groups on implementation of and compliance with the Privacy and Security Standards under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
  • Represented a group of West Virginia hospitals in a class-action suit who were alleged to be overcharging patients for copies of medical records under the statutory structure outlined in the West Virginia Code.
  • Represented a national home health care provider in for-profit and non-profit joint venture acquisition of hospital-based home health services.
  • Represented physician in Medicaid-related audit, investigation and settlement on billing and reimbursement issues.

Education

  • West Virginia University College of Law, JD, Order of the Barrister (1993)
  • Bethany College, BA, English, cum laude (1988)

Admissions

  • West Virginia
  • West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia

Practice Areas

Industries

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • Fellow, American Bar Foundation
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Health Care Law (2008–2023, 2025)
    • Lawyer of the Year, Health Care Law, Charleston, WV (2014, 2020, 2025)
  • West Virginia Super Lawyers, Health Care (2010–2023)
  • Chambers USA: Corporate/Commercial: Healthcare (2010–2023)
  • Chambers USA: Healthcare – West Virginia (2024)
  • American Health Lawyers Association
  • Health Care Law Group, American Bar Association
  • Board Member, West Virginia Health Information Network (2006–2010)
  • Committee Member, Legal Working Group, West Virginia Health Information Security and Privacy Collaborative Project (2006–2007)
  • West Virginia Bar Association
  • Kanawha County Bar Association
  • Housing Outreach Program Express (HOPE), Southern West Virginia (2018–0resent)
  • Founding Member, Charleston Montessori School (2010)
  • Board Member, Create West Virginia (2010–2018)