As a new year begins, we at Powers are taking a moment to reflect on the past year, highlight some of our important work, and celebrate our firm successes. Powers is grateful to have the opportunity to represent our clients that work across issues in health care, education, and tribal business among other fields. We look forward to another year of achievements as we head into 2025.
Awards and Recognitions
Lawyer Awards:
Powers Law is proud to have 12 lawyers recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® and 4 lawyers recognized in the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America 2025 editions.
Attorneys across the firm’s four practice areas were recognized in “The Best Lawyers® in America 2024,” including “Ones to Watch®.” See the full list of attorneys recognized here.
Mark Ogunsusi recognized as one of Modern Healthcare’s 40 Under 40.
Lobbyist Awards:
Principal Peggy Tighe received the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Women in Government Relations.
Principal Peggy Tighe and Director of Government Relations Taryn Couture were named a NILE Top Lobbyist 2024.
Principals Julie Allen and Peggy Tighe, and Director of Government Relations, Michael Barnett have been named to The Hill’s Top Lobbyists 2024 List.
Firm Awards:
In the 2025 edition of ‘Best Law Firms”, Powers achieved a National Tier 2 ranking for Native American Law and a National Tier 3 ranking for Health Care Law.
Additionally, the firm received a Metro Tier 1 ranking for Education Law, Health Care Law, Native American Law, and Nonprofit/Charities Law for law firms in Washington, D.C.
340B Drug Pricing
Powers prevailed in three federal court challenges: Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America vs. Murril; AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP v. Murrill; and AbbVie, Inc. v. Murrill. These 340B cases were brought by PhRMA and pharmaceutical manufacturers to challenge Louisiana law, Act 358. The Louisiana law, Act 358, specifically prohibits drugmakers from refusing to distribute discounted drugs to contract pharmacies. In upholding the law, the court held that Act 358 is not preempted by federal law, is not unconstitutionally vague, does not violate the Contracts Clause of the U.S. Constitution, and is not an unconstitutional taking. Ronald S. Connelly, principal for Powers Law, argued the cases on behalf of the Louisiana Primary Care Association, which was also represented by Powers principals William von Oehsen and Barbara Straub Williams and Powers associates Mark Ogunsusi, Fernando Montoya, and Hannah Hauer.
The Powers 340B team, including William von Oehsen, Peggy Tighe, Jason Reddish, and Mark Ogunsusi also played integral roles supporting covered entities and federally qualified health center primary care associations as they pursued state legislation similar to Act 358 in other states. Powers supported legislative efforts that resulted in wins in Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, and West Virginia, and expects to support many more in 2025.
Medicare Coverage
Powers attorneys Peter W. Thomas, Leela Baggett, and Michael Barnett assisted clients in helping to secure expanded Medicare coverage for microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knees (“MPKs”)—including fluid and pneumatic knees—for less functional Medicare beneficiaries with a fear of falling. Powers clients engaged in this work include the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics, the Orthotic and Prosthetic Alliance, and members of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition.
Federal Funding
- In 2024, successfully worked with the offices of U.S. Senators Murray (D-WA) and Cantwell (D-WA) on behalf of a large skilled nursing facility for the elderly in Washington State to have the Senate Appropriations Committee include $2.5 million in the Senate FY 2025 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act to upgrade the building’s heating system.
- Successfully worked with the offices of U.S. Senators Murphy (D-CT) and Blumenthal (D-CT) on behalf of a national health system to have the Senate Appropriations Committee include $550,000 in the Senate FY 2025 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act to fund an educational center to teach children, families, and health care providers the health risks exacerbated by extreme weather consistent with the CDC’s having identified “Neighborhood and Built Environment” as one of six key social determinants of health. Also obtained the inclusion of another $6 million in this bill and its accompanying report language, in both the House and Senate, to support the national postgraduate Nurse Practitioner (NP) Residency and Training Program. The program has helped finance grants by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to train postgraduate NPs for the past six years.
- Completed an application for and obtained an award of $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to Expand Trauma-Informed Care for Inpatient and Outpatient Adolescents at a nonprofit hospital in Los Angeles. The hospital specializes in providing mental health services to the city’s most vulnerable populations, including chronically unhoused individuals, regardless of their ability to pay. The funding was the result of an appropriations request submitted by our firm to Senator Padilla (D-CA) on behalf of the hospital, which was funded in the FY 2024 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. For this same hospital, our firm completed and submitted a separate application to the FY 2023 California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program (CSNSGP) that resulted in an award of $250,000 in 2024 to fund new eight-foot-high Fencing and Security Gates around the perimeter of the facility. This year’s CSNSGP award complements a similar award obtained by our firm last year, for this same hospital, in the amount of $200,000 to fund a new Access Control System.
- Completed a different FY 2023 CSNSGP application for a large, acute care hospital in the San Fernando Valley, which resulted in an award of $131,583 to fund 34 new cameras and prevent the entry of unauthorized intruders into the facility and its Emergency Department.
- Separately, working with the State of California, our firm also applied for an $18.4 million FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant for this hospital. The funding is to relocate the facility’s utilities to a more resilient, seismically compliant structure on the hospital grounds. The application was favorably reviewed by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and submitted to FEMA for appropriate consideration when funding becomes available pursuant to the enactment of pending appropriations measures.
- In West Virginia, our firm continues to help administer federal funding awarded to a statewide health system for three major expansion projects. The $7.2 million in federal appropriations was the result of Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations requests submitted by our firm to the offices of Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Joe Manchin (D-WV). The funding is supporting $5.5 million in new Imaging Equipment across the health system; the renovation of a new Behavioral Health Unit in Charleston for $1.2 million; and the establishment of a new $495,000 Cancer Infusion Center in South Charleston, West Virginia. In 2024, our firm also successfully submitted a federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) application in the amount of $150,000 to enable this same health system’s hospital in South Charleston, West Virginia install new cameras and exterior lighting to enhance the security for patients, first responders, and medical staff near its Front Entrance, Emergency Department and Helipad. In addition, our firm also applied for and received state and local funding of over $405,000 from three different organizations in the region to help the system’s hospitals address the prevention and treatment of substance use disorder, including among mothers and their newborn babies.
PBM Reform and Pharmacy Protections
Principal Julie Allen and Director of Governmental Affairs Taryn Couture were able to work toward passage of legislation through the Senate Finance Committee that would establish Medicare Part D network protections for specialty and other pharmacies. The legislation was stalled during end-of-year negotiations and is expected to be re-considered in the new Congress.
Bobby Silverstein Fellowship
Powers is partnering with the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and the Center for the Study and Advancement of Disability Policy (CSAPD) to establish an annual paid Fellowship in conjunction with AAPD’s successful summer internship program. The Fellowship is intended for an individual with a disability who will focus on advancing disability law and policy, emulating Bobby Silverstein’s life’s work.
Nonprofit Work
Jason Qu and Ben Tesdahl played a major role in drafting and negotiating a major purchase agreement for the acquisition of a for-profit subsidiary by one of the firm’s nonprofit clients, the United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP), which sets public quality standards for medicines, dietary supplements, and foods.
Tribal Work
Director of Tribal Government Relations, Natasha John advocated to provide a historic increase in funding for Fiscal Year 2024 Department of Housing and Urban Development Native American Programs of $1.34 billion, a $324 million increase (32%) above the FY23 enacted level. Principal Brian Gunn and Director of Tribal Government Relations Natasha John worked to alleviate tribal members medical debt impacts (More Information).
ALS Nexus Conference
Powers was a proud sponsor of the ALS Nexus Conference in Dallas, Texas, July 14–17. Associate Hannah Hauer attended on behalf of the firm.
Learn more
NAIHC Legislative Conference
Powers sponsored the annual National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) Legislative Conference, February 5–7 in Washington, D.C.
Learn more
Employee Spotlights & Presentations:
- Managing Partner Peter W. Thomas appeared on KSFR 101.1 Barrier Free Futures Talk Radio with Bob Kafka, a long-time advocate for disability rights and independent living, to discuss healthcare, rehabilitation, and disability policy. Learn more
- Principals William von Oehsen and Jason Reddish, and Associate Mark Ogunsusi presented at the 340B Coalition Winter Conference. Learn more
- Indian Tribal Governments Practice hosted a panel “The 2nd Session of the 118th Congress: A View from Capitol Hill” to discuss FY2024 budget and appropriations; pending Indian Tribal legislation; and expired or expiring major statutory reauthorizations.
- Director of Tribal Government Relations Natasha John presented at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Global Health Conference. Learn more
- Managing Partner, Peter Thomas and Principal Ron Connelly delivered a presentation at the 2024 AMRPA Spring Conference on Emerging Auditing & Payment Denial Issues
- Bloomberg Law quoted Associate Mark Ogunsusi in an article discussing the growing trend of state legislators introducing bills aimed at protecting a common use of the federal 340B drug pricing program that the pharmaceutical industry has recently refused to honor. Learn more
- Principal Jason Reddish moderated an engaging webinar with Louvir on building, managing, and growing entity-owned pharmacies.
- Associate Mark Ogunsusi was featured in 340B Report‘s Industry Leader Spotlight series where he talked about his passion for the 340B drug pricing program, his advice for young attorneys and more. https://www.powerslaw.com/mark-ogunsusi-featured-in-340b-reports-industry-leader-spotlight/Managing Partner Peter Thomas moderated a roundtable discussion on “Achieving Health Equity for People with Disabilities” at the residence of Danish Ambassador Jesper Møller Sørensen. Learn more
- Principal William von Oehsen, spoke at the National Commission on Correctional Health Care National Conference.
- Principal Peggy Tighe spoke in two sessions at AAKP’s National Patient Meeting.
- Associate, Mark Ogunsusi, was quoted in Bloomberg Law regarding Johnson & Johnson’s rebate plan. Learn More
- Principals William von Oehsen and Barbara Straub Williams, along with Associate Mark Ogunsusi, presented at the 340B Coalition Summer Conference. Learn more
- Principals, Paul Moorehead, Brian Gunn, and Director of Tribal Government Relations, Natasha John participated in the National Congress of American Indians Annual Convention. Learn more
- Managing Partner, Peter Thomas and Principal, Ronald Connelly delivered a presentation at the 2024 AMRPA Fall Conference on developments in IRF audits and appeals in both traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
- Principals Barbara Williams, Peggy Tighe, Jason Reddish, and Associate Mark Ogunsusi spoke at the 340B Grantees Conference. Learn more
- Principal Dan Brozovic spoke at the Chief Financial Officer & Business Officer Symposium, presented by Career Education Colleges and Universities
- Principal Nicolas Michiels presented on higher education developments at the Connecticut Association of Professional Financial Aid Administrators (CAPFAA) Annual Conference.
Firm Growth
Leela Baggett was elevated to Principal.
Jason Qu joined the firm as Counsel in the healthcare and nonprofit organization practice.
Samuel Bissell joined the firm as an associate in the education practice.
Ellyn McLaughlin joined the firm as an Accreditation and Higher Education Specialist in the Education Practice.
Julie Hyams joined the firm as a Senior Legislative Advisor to the Legislative Team.