American Health Law Association Names William E. Hopkins Recipient of 2024 Idea Champion Award

The American Health Law Association (AHLA) announces William E. Hopkins as the recipient of its 2024 IDEA Champion Award, recognizing his exceptional commitment to advancing inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility in the health law profession. The award will be presented during AHLA's 2025 Health Law Week.

The IDEA Champion Award celebrates individuals who demonstrate outstanding dedication to promoting inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility within AHLA and the broader health law community. Recipients of this prestigious recognition have shown remarkable leadership in advocating for innovative approaches and implementing best practices that ensure IDEA principles are embedded in organizational structures.

"Bill Hopkins exemplifies the values and mission of AHLA through his unwavering dedication to advancing diversity and inclusion in health law," says David S. Cade, Chief Executive Officer of AHLA. "His extensive work with the Texas Diversity Council and leadership in promoting IDEA initiatives has created meaningful change in our profession."

As a partner at Spencer Fane LLP, Hopkins focuses his practice on defending and protecting health care providers and professionals in administrative law, regulatory compliance, litigation, and transactions. His commitment to IDEA extends throughout his distinguished career, including serving as Hiring Partner in Charge of Recruiting and participating in diversity committees at multiple firms. Since 2021, he has been an active member of the Spencer Fane Diversity Committee.

Hopkins' contributions to AHLA include speaking engagements at the Fundamentals of Health Law and Long Term Care conferences, as well as serving on planning committees for the Post-Acute and Long Term Care conference and Annual Meeting. His involvement extends to multiple AHLA Practice Groups, demonstrating his broad impact on the organization.

His dedication to diversity has earned numerous accolades, including the Texas Diversity Council's "Diversity First" Award in 2011 and 2018, and the "Diversity Champion" Award in 2014. The American Bar Association recognized his efforts with the "Champion of Diversity and Inclusion Award" in 2017, acknowledging his work as Chair of the Diversity Committee for the ABA Health Law Section.

The award presentation will take place during AHLA's 2025 Health Law Week, where the health law community will gather to celebrate Hopkins' achievements and his ongoing commitment to advancing IDEA principles in the profession.

For more information about the IDEA Champion Award, click here.