Counsel, Commercial – Heart Failure

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
• An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity

This position primarily works out of our Livermore, CA location in the Heart Failure Division.  This position may also require the candidate to be in our Pleasanton, CA location on an as-needed basis. 

Abbott is currently seeking an experienced commercial attorney to provide legal advice to Abbott’s Heart Failure Division. The attorney will be expected to identify and resolve complex legal issues to support the operations of a global leader in the research, development, manufacturing, sales and marketing of medical device products. The ideal candidate will have experience with regulations governing Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) or Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities (IDTFs).  We encourage applications from individuals familiar working with healthcare providers and a solid understanding of payor agreement contracting principles as well as billing, reimbursement, compliance, and auditing guidelines and requirements

What You’ll Work On

• Conducting reviews and revisions of payor agreements on request and offering legal advice on business payor relations and contracting strategies;
• Providing legal guidance on DMEPOS and IDTF operations and related standards, including billing, reimbursement, auditing, and compliance program activities;
• Offering  advice on payor and reimbursement disputes to mitigate legal risks;
• Drafting, negotiating and reviewing a wide range of agreements, including complex matters relating to procurement, sales, licensing, marketing, co-promotion and research collaborations;
• Reviewing marketing programs and promotional materials to ensure compliance with FTC truth-in-advertising principles, Abbott policies and applicable law;
• Advising and ensuring that internal clients receive sound, practical and timely legal advice on a wide variety of legal matters related to operation of a commercial business that markets to health care professionals;
• Resolving legal issues using negotiation skills and legal expertise, including pre-litigation dispute resolution and settlements;
• Assisting in the creation of new template agreements, playbooks and training to support efficient contracting processes for various business functions;
• Developing knowledge of Abbott’s businesses, products and client areas supported;
• Maintaining familiarity with laws that affect client areas to issue spot and provide basic counseling, including those relevant to sales and marketing of products to health care professionals and reimbursement by government programs, for example, fraud and abuse (Anti-Kickback Statute, False Claims Act, Civil Monetary Penalties Law, Stark, Beneficiary Inducement Statutes), FDA regulation (Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act), privacy (HIPAA), and anti-corruption (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act); 
• Representing Abbott externally to suppliers and customers; and
• Helping select and/or directing the work of outside counsel, defining project objectives, managing project, and monitoring outside counsel budget.
• This position will interact with the Legal, Compliance, Finance, Education, Supply Chain, Research & Development, Regulatory, Quality, Clinical, Marketing, Commercial/Sales, and Information Technology Departments.
• Infrequent and minimal travel may be required (10-15%).

Critical Success Factors

• Good Judgment:  Demonstrate expertise and sound judgment, understand how assigned responsibilities support Abbott’s business objectives, and be able to provide practical, risk-balanced advice based upon a thorough understanding of the scope of an issue, taking full advantage of internal networks and external intelligence.
• Collaboration:  Firm understanding of available legal, functional, and business resources and ability to integrate information from a number of sources to achieve business results, including breaking down boundaries to create alignment as necessary, in a complex, global, matrixed environment.
• Anticipation:  Holistic, big picture thinker, who anticipates changes in law, enforcement, and/or business objectives and adapts approach as necessary to manage risks effectively and mitigate issues before they arise.
• Influencing Skills:  Build strong relationships with business partners to tactfully influence and gain their support to drive desired outcomes. Represent Abbott externally to customers, suppliers, competitors or government agencies; and resolve legal issues using negotiation skills and legal expertise.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), demonstrate a strong academic background, and be admitted to a US state bar in good standing
• 3+ years of experience as a commercial attorney at a top law firm and/or in-house.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with regulations governing Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) or Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities (IDTFs).
• Experience with working with healthcare providers and a solid understanding of payor agreement contracting principles as well as billing, reimbursement, compliance, and auditing guidelines and requirements. 
• Regulated industry or other relevant industry experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to handle multiple projects in fast-paced environment and exercise sound commercial and legal judgment.
• Ability to independently handle complex matters with minimal supervision and understand which issues to elevate to senior management and appropriate timing for doing so.
• In addition to top-notch legal skills and a strong ethical center, excellent interpersonal, strategic thinking, communication and organizational skills
   

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives:  www.abbottbenefits.com

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.