Mark E. Rust

For individuals and organizations navigating the complex landscape of healthcare law in Illinois, having access to an attorney with deep industry knowledge and a proven track record is not just beneficial, it's essential. In Chicago, Mark E. Rust stands out as a preeminent figure in healthcare legal counsel. As a distinguished attorney at Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Mark has dedicated over 35 years to addressing the transactional, regulatory, and medical-legal issues that define the healthcare sector. This article aims to provide a clear, engaging, and informative overview of Mark E. Rust's practice, highlighting his expertise and why he is a go-to resource for healthcare entities throughout Illinois.

Mark E. Rust is a highly experienced lawyer with a career spanning more than three decades, almost entirely focused on healthcare law. He is affiliated with Barnes & Thornburg LLP, a national law firm with a significant presence in Chicago. His practice is deeply rooted in the transactional, regulatory, and medical-legal issues that confront healthcare entities and provider organizations daily. Mark's extensive experience includes serving as the immediate past chair of Barnes & Thornburg's national Healthcare Department, showcasing his leadership and expertise within the firm and the broader legal community. His insights have been featured in prominent publications such as the Journal of the American Bar Association and USA Today, underscoring his influence and reputation in the field.

What truly sets Mark E. Rust apart is his distinctly unique perspective, honed from years of actively engaging with the ever-evolving healthcare industry. He is known for delivering legal advice that is both practical and actionable, helping clients find clear paths to resolution even when faced with the most complex problems. This approach is rooted in his creativity and a deep understanding of client objectives from the outset of representation, ensuring that advice is not only on point but also conserves client time and resources. Mark's diligence and preparation are highly appreciated by his clients and colleagues alike, who commend his intelligence, skill, and flexibility in adapting to myriad positions and outlooks within the dynamic healthcare environment.

Before embarking on his legal career, Mark began as an investigative reporter, serving as the former national legal affairs reporter and business editor for the American Medical News. This background has provided him with a unique journalistic lens, enabling him to dissect complex issues and communicate them clearly, a skill that greatly benefits his legal practice. He has also demonstrated a commitment to legal education, having appeared before the U.S. Congress and several state legislatures to provide testimony on healthcare delivery and managed care, further solidifying his standing as a thought leader in the healthcare legal field.

Mark E. Rust's office is conveniently located at 1 N Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, USA. This address places him in the heart of downtown Chicago, a bustling business district that offers exceptional accessibility for clients situated across Illinois. The building at One North Wacker Drive is a prominent fixture in the city's skyline, easily recognizable and simple to navigate to, whether you are coming from within Chicago or from surrounding suburbs and regions. For those utilizing public transportation, the office is just a short walk from several major CTA train stations, including the Clark/Lake 'L' station, which serves multiple lines (Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Blue), providing widespread connectivity. The Loop's comprehensive bus network also offers numerous routes that stop near the building, ensuring a variety of transit options. For clients who prefer to drive, the area boasts several parking garages within a short walking distance, providing ample space for vehicles. The central location also means that Mark E. Rust's office is in close proximity to federal and state courthouses, major healthcare organizations, and various governmental agencies, facilitating seamless interactions and efficient handling of legal matters for his clients.

• Transactional Healthcare Law: Advising on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and other significant business transactions within the healthcare industry.
• Regulatory Compliance: Guiding clients through complex federal fraud and abuse laws, including Stark Law analysis, Anti-Kickback Statute compliance, and state healthcare regulations.
• Medical-Legal Issues: Addressing the unique legal challenges faced by healthcare entities, including issues related to medical staff structures, licensure, certification, and accreditation.
• Contract Formation and Negotiation: Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating various contracts for healthcare providers and organizations.
• ERISA Pre-emption: Specializing in the application of ERISA pre-emption to the healthcare field, with a landmark success before the U.S. Supreme Court in Rush Prudential v. Moran.
• Managed Care: Providing counsel on managed care contracting, litigation, and the design of new reimbursement and risk-sharing models.
• Health Information Technology: Advising on contracting for electronic health records, cloud computing, software licensing, hardware acquisitions, and IT services.
• Privacy and Security Compliance: Counseling clients on HIPAA and HITECH Red Flag rules, designing compliance policies, internal compliance audits, and managing data breaches.
• Antitrust Issues: Ongoing analysis and advice on antitrust matters relevant to the healthcare industry, including regular updates to the antitrust section of The Law of Medical Practice in Illinois, Third Edition.
• Governmental Testimony: Providing expert testimony before the U.S. Congress and state legislatures on healthcare delivery and managed care topics.
• Provider-Sponsored Health Plans: Representation of provider-sponsored insurance companies and HMOs.
• Litigation Support: While primarily transactional and regulatory, his deep understanding of healthcare law provides robust support in litigation contexts.

• Healthcare Industry Veteran: Mark E. Rust brings over 35 years of dedicated experience to the healthcare legal field, offering unparalleled depth and perspective.
• Nationally Recognized Expert: Consistently listed as a notable healthcare lawyer in prestigious directories like Chambers USA, Top Healthcare Lawyers of Illinois, Illinois Super Lawyers (since 2005), and The Best Lawyers in America (since 2007 for Health Care Law and Antitrust Law).
• Supreme Court Success: Successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in Rush Prudential v. Moran, a landmark case defining the relationship between providers, patients, managed care, and state regulation under ERISA.
• Thought Leader: Frequently serves as an invited guest and keynote speaker on healthcare-related topics, including the challenges associated with federal government regulation and reimbursement.
• Author and Contributor: Regularly updates the antitrust section of The Law of Medical Practice in Illinois, Third Edition for Thompson West Publishing.
• Former National Legal Affairs Reporter: His background as an investigative reporter for American Medical News provides a unique ability to analyze and articulate complex legal issues.
• Former Firm Management Committee Member: Served on the firm's Management Committee for 20 years, and as Vice Chair for five, demonstrating strong leadership and strategic vision.
• Former Chicago Managing Partner: Grew Barnes & Thornburg's Chicago office from a small local presence to the 25th largest law office in the city during his tenure from 2001 to 2019.
• Former Chair of National Healthcare Department: Led the firm's national Healthcare Department, showcasing his profound expertise and influence in the sector.
• Comprehensive Client Representation: Represents a wide range of healthcare entities, including hospitals, multi-specialty clinics, large physician groups, medical staffs, and managed care organizations.

As a highly specialized and deeply experienced legal professional, Mark E. Rust and Barnes & Thornburg LLP do not typically offer consumer-style "promotions" or "special offers" in the traditional sense. Their value proposition is rooted in the unparalleled expertise and strategic counsel they provide to their clients, particularly within the highly regulated and intricate healthcare sector. Clients seeking legal services from Mark E. Rust are investing in decades of specialized knowledge, a proven track record of success, and a pragmatic approach to resolving complex legal and business challenges. The firm's commitment is to deliver efficient, effective, and high-quality legal representation that leads to optimal outcomes for their clients, which often translates into significant long-term savings and strategic advantages. For prospective clients, the "offer" is the opportunity to engage with a top-tier healthcare attorney whose insight can mitigate risks, facilitate growth, and ensure compliance. Interested parties are encouraged to reach out directly to schedule a consultation to discuss their specific needs and understand how Mark E. Rust's expertise can be leveraged to achieve their objectives. During such initial discussions, the firm can provide clarity on their service model and fee structures, tailored to the specific legal requirements of each client.

For individuals and healthcare organizations in Illinois seeking sophisticated legal counsel from Mark E. Rust, the contact details are readily available:

Address: 1 N Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, USA

Phone: (312) 214-8309

Mobile Phone: +1 312-214-8309

Reaching out via phone is often the most direct way to initiate contact and discuss potential legal needs. The professional staff at Barnes & Thornburg LLP will be able to assist with scheduling consultations and ensuring that inquiries are directed to Mark E. Rust or the most appropriate team member, facilitating a smooth and efficient process from the first point of contact.

For anyone in Illinois, particularly those connected to the vast and ever-evolving healthcare industry, Mark E. Rust at Barnes & Thornburg LLP is an exceptionally suitable and vital legal resource. His office, strategically located in downtown Chicago, offers convenient access for clients traveling from across the state, ensuring that top-tier legal expertise is within reach. However, it is Mark's unparalleled specialization and profound understanding of healthcare law that truly makes him indispensable for local businesses and individuals. Illinois boasts a robust healthcare sector, from large hospital systems and multi-specialty clinics to innovative medical device companies and managed care organizations. Each of these entities faces a unique set of transactional, regulatory, and medical-legal hurdles that demand highly specific and informed legal guidance.

Mark E. Rust's four decades of experience mean he has not only witnessed the evolution of healthcare law but has actively shaped it, including a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that impacts how healthcare is delivered and regulated. This historical perspective, combined with his continuous engagement with current legislative and regulatory developments, ensures that his clients in Illinois receive forward-thinking and compliant advice. His expertise in areas like federal fraud and abuse, ERISA pre-emption, HIPAA compliance, and complex mergers and acquisitions within the healthcare context is precisely what Illinois-based healthcare providers and businesses need to operate successfully and avoid costly pitfalls.

Furthermore, Mark's background as an investigative reporter provides him with a unique ability to cut through complexity and offer clear, actionable strategies, a quality highly valued by clients navigating intricate legal landscapes. His active involvement in testifying before Congress and state legislatures demonstrates his commitment to influencing policy in a way that benefits the healthcare community, indirectly benefiting his Illinois-based clients. In essence, for any healthcare-related entity or individual in Illinois seeking an attorney who is not just knowledgeable but also a strategic partner deeply embedded in the industry's nuances, Mark E. Rust offers an unparalleled and highly suitable solution to their legal needs.