Key Considerations for Lawyers' Service on Boards of Health Care Organizations

• October 01, 2023

• Willard L. Boyd III , Nyemaster Goode PC

Throughout the United States, hospitals and other nonprofit health care organizations have lawyers serving on their boards of directors. This should not be surprising since some health care organizations recruit lawyers for their boards because of their legal training and appreciation for issues that can arise in a highly regulated industry like health care. A lawyer considering serving on a board of a health care organization needs to consider the fiduciary duties imposed on all directors as well as the ethical duties imposed on lawyers. These two sets of duties can create conflicts and give rise to issues both the lawyer and the organization should consider prior to a lawyer becoming a director as well as during the time the lawyer serves as a director.¹

ARTICLE TAGS

• Governance