Impact Story: Mark S. Kopson

A Lifeline to Build a Successful Practice

Mark serves on the AHLA Board of Directors as Chair of the Education Committee and works as the Principal and Health Care Industry Group Leader for Plunkett Cooney. He credits his academic and vocational success to AHLA members who helped him find the resources he needed to become a health law leader and desires to spend the rest of his career paying it forward by teaching, mentoring, and guiding young associates who are starting their careers.

I was first attracted to law as way of using my talents to help others. I started my career as a litigation associate at a large firm but wanted to have more direct interactions with clients and the responsibility to support them in their matters. One of my classmates told me about a solo health law practitioner looking for an associate. I soon joined him as an associate and discovered that, unlike him, I had a passion for contracting and transactions in the health care industry. I learned as much as possible about these topics and started down a career road that has paid me richly in dividends. I am now a shareholder and chair of the Health Care Industry Group, serve on the Diversity & Inclusion Committee, and mentor young associates at the Plunkett Cooney.

It is an honor to use my talents to help patients and clients find the best health care available. I enjoy helping non-profits develop new strategies for succeeding in an increasingly complex industry. Guiding and assisting organizations to effectuate positive changes in health equity, service to historically underserved populations, and advancing IDEA principles are some of the most rewarding work I do. Even seemingly minor advancements and achievements contribute to a better future for all our communities.

I can say without any hesitation that I would not be the health lawyer I am today without AHLA. AHLA was my lifeline to health law and gave me the insight I needed to build an effective practice. Newsletters from AHLA practice groups were a critically important source of practically presented information. Connecting and networking at AHLA programs afforded me invaluable opportunities to engage with health lawyers and consultants across the entire country. As I took advantage of the many resources available at AHLA, I discovered there were very few issues I faced that other members had not already confronted. AHLA has created a collegial forum of members who want to help each other succeed, and I am pleased to be a beneficiary of that help and support.

Attending AHLA’s online and in-person programs has provided me with an incredible education. Equally as important, it also helped me develop in-person networking and business development skills, and some of my oldest and dearest friendships. Through participation in the PPMC PG, I learned priceless lessons in leadership, team building, and motivating volunteers. Through my service in PPMC and on AHLA’s board, I’ve also gained invaluable experience in the development and application of governance and IDEA principles – experience I regularly apply both at my firm and with my clients.

There is no better source for health law content than AHLA, something extremely attractive to a lifelong learner. The camaraderie among health law professionals of all types – not only attorneys – is a primary attraction of my AHLA membership. AHLA members are among the most giving professionals I’ve ever met. Giving freely of themselves and back to our profession are deeply rooted within the AHLA member mindset. I particularly enjoy mentoring students and newer health law professionals. Every mentee has taught me valuable lessons, both professional and personal. I am deeply indebted to those AHLA members who invited me into their community, gave freely of their hard-earned knowledge, and helped me develop into the professional I am today. Anything I can do to continue those AHLA traditions and pay it forward is both enjoyable and rewarding.