Over his 32-year legal career, J. Kevin West has partnered with healthcare providers in the Boise community as well as nationally in more than 1,000 cases. Why does he enjoy practicing in this area of law? West says he has always been fascinated with medicine and the medical industry, particularly in recent years with the evolution of medical technology. He has been, he says, fortunate over the years to represent healthcare providers in many unique situations. Now, Parsons Behle & Latimer is pleased to announce that West has been named head of its healthcare practice group for all Parsons Behle & Latimer’s offices including Idaho, Nevada and Utah.
Kevin West is a senior shareholder at Parsons Behle & Latimer and joined its Boise office shortly after it opened in April 2012. Prior to joining Parsons, West was a partner in another Boise law firm for more than 20 years. His practice at Parsons Behle & Latimer also focuses on corporate and employment law, which he began practicing simultaneously with healthcare law. Each year, West oversees Parsons Behle & Latimer’s Employment Law Seminar, held in Boise for local businesses. West has taught at Boise State University the past six years as an adjunct professor in courses dealing with Health Law and ethics. He is a frequent national speaker and author on healthcare matters.
“Healthcare is currently the most regulated industry in America. It is also one of the fastest-growing and changing industries, particularly with all the new technology on which this industry relies,” says West. “Our job as lawyers is to keep pace with the change and progress as it relates to new industry developments – not always an easy task.”
West says the severe consequences of non-compliance with the law by healthcare providers creates a necessary relationship between medicine and law. “Defending healthcare providers can potentially prevent or mitigate career-damaging events,” West says. “In many situations, a healthcare provider can be at risk of committing malpractice, violating criminal laws, losing his or her license or being terminated from Medicare or other health plans. These are scary situations in which healthcare providers can find themselves.” West says medical providers need experienced attorneys who have handled similar situations to see them through. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve through government regulations, technology, insurance requirements and patient needs, West says attorneys must stay on top of developments to provide the greatest value for clients.
West is a member of the Idaho, Utah and Washington State Bar Associations, and is admitted to practice before all state and federal courts in those states. He is also admitted to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Parsons Behle & Latimer congratulates this outstanding community leader in his new role as the firm’s healthcare chair.
