Dave Watkins concentrates his practice in the area of health care law, including administrative litigation, certificate of need regulation, health facility and physician licensure, and third party reimbursement issues including Medicare and Medicaid claims denials. Dave also practices in the area of insurance regulation.

Dave is a member of the inaugural class of Board Certified State and Federal Government and Administrative Practice attorneys announced by the Florida Bar in November, 2007. Board Certification is the highest level of evaluation by The Florida Bar of the competency and experience of attorneys in areas of law approved for certification by the Supreme Court of Florida.

Dave has been awarded the "AV" rating, the highest rating given to lawyers for their legal abilities and general ethical standards through the peer review rating process of the Martindale-Hubbell® Law Directory.

Background: Dave received his law degree in 1984 from Florida State University. In addition, he holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration, and Bachelor's degrees in Government and Psychology. Dave entered private practice in 1984 and has concentrated his practice in health care law since that time. Dave has extensive litigation experience, and regularly tries cases before the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida circuit courts, and Federal district courts.

Dave represents a broad range of health care facilities, providers, and organizations, including hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, adult congregate living facilities, continuing care facilities, home health agencies, and individual physicians. He also has experience representing clients before the Florida Health Care Board and Florida Department of Financial Services.

As a member of the Executive Council of the Administrative Law Section of the Florida Bar, Dave actively participated in redrafting the Florida Administrative Procedure Act, which was signed into law by Governor Chiles in 1996. In addition, Dave also served as Chair of the Administrative Law Section (2001/2002), and is a past editor of the Florida Bar Journal. He is a member of the Health Law Section of the Florida Bar, the Florida Academy of Hospital Attorneys, the Florida Hospital Association, and the Florida Health Care Association. Dave frequently lectures on issues relating to health care and administrative law.

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