Cathy Dunlay is a highly-regarded health care attorney with more than 30 years of experience. Her practice has been devoted to the representation of hospitals and other health care organizations in mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures, as well as contractual arrangements, including a variety of hospital-physician relationships. She has counseled clients on operational and compliance matters, including Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark physician self-referral laws and Medicare and Medicaid coverage and reimbursement issues. 

Specifically, Cathy has served as counsel in a variety of transactions, including the purchase and sale of hospital and freestanding facilities; the acquisition and restructuring of hospital-owned physician practices; the formation of a variety of joint ventures, including joint ventures for hospitals and freestanding facilities; and the negotiation of management, clinical co-management and affiliation relationships.

She has been a frequent speaker at regional and national conferences. Topics have included hospital acquisition of physician practices, provider-based status and under arrangements, health care reform legislation and Accountable Care Organizations.

Education

The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D. (1984)

University of Cincinnati, B.A. summa cum laude in English Literature (1981)

Distinctions

Listed, The Best Lawyers in America® – Health Care Law (2007–2023, 2025)

Ranked, Chambers USA – Health Care: Senior Statesperson (2021–2024); Band 2 (2016–2020)

Cincinnati Lawyer of the Year, The Best Lawyers in America® – Health Care Law (2019, 2021)

Listed, Super Lawyers®, part of Thomson Reuters® – Ohio, Health Care (2004–2005, 2007–2009, 2011–2020); Top 50 Women (2012–2014); Top 25 Women Columbus (2012–2014); Top 50 Columbus (2014)

Columbus Lawyer of the Year, The Best Lawyers in America® – Health Care Law (2017)

Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated™

Professional Activities

Member, American Health Law Association

Member, Board of Trustees, Arthritis Foundation (2010–2016); Secretary (2015–2016)

Member, Society of Ohio Hospital Attorneys

Fellow, American Bar Foundation

Member, Ohio State Bar Association

Member, Columbus Bar Association

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