John C. West and Robert M. Kort, attorneys with extensive experience in health care matters, have joined the litigation practice at Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP, one of the largest commercial law firms in the western United States.
West and Kort have successfully handled a wide range of complex litigation matters for managed care organizations, health plans and other business clients in state and federal courts, including contract disputes, pharmaceutical development, reimbursement issues, Medicare and Stark regulations, compliance and business transactions.
“John West and Rob Kort are well-established, respected attorneys who bring valuable experience in an increasingly complicated industry,” noted Mike Plachy, chair of the firm’s Litigation practice. “As Lewis Roca Rothgerber continues to grow and invest in top legal talent, clients benefit from the firm’s integrated approach and complementary legal services.”
West joins Lewis Roca Rothgerber from Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, and is known for representing top national health care organizations in an industry under constant change. Leading health care entities and Fortune 500 companies view West as a valued resource for business litigation, class actions and contract disputes. He also has represented medical institutions and physician clients in numerous regulatory and compliance matters.
West’s experience includes extensive work in managed care contracting, reimbursement and overpayment recovery issues for payors and providers, and he has substantial experience in ERISA, Medicare, Stark and fraud and abuse litigation. He is counsel of record on numerous reported decisions that affect the industry.
“The unique needs of health care clients reach across many practice areas, and with its broad base of expertise Lewis Roca Rothgerber is uniquely positioned to provide representation and advice to health entities of all sizes,” said West. “I’m thrilled to be joining the firm and look forward to continuing to successfully serve our clients.”
West is a recognized practitioner in Chambers USA and was named to Arizona Business Magazine’s 2015 Top 100 Lawyers. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2005-2016, Phoenix Business Journal’s Best of the Bar and Southwest Super Lawyers, among other accolades. He is licensed to practice in Arizona and Ohio, and admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court of Arizona, U.S. District Court of Colorado, U.S. District Court of Northern Ohio and the Ninth and Tenth Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals. He earned his J.D. from the Ohio Northern University Claude W. Pettit College of Law.
Kort, who also joins Lewis Roca Rothgerber from Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, focuses on health care law and commercial litigation. He has successfully litigated numerous complex cases to trial and, among his victories, obtained one of the largest jury verdicts in Arizona history in a case involving contract, fraud and other business tort claims. Kort serves clients across multiple industries, including health care, commercial real estate, financial services, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods.
“I’m impressed by Lewis Roca Rothgerber’s strategic approach to client service, the firm’s diversified talent and geographic reach,” said Kort. “This is a great environment in which to practice and its depth of resources continues to increase the firm’s prominence.”
Licensed to practice in Arizona and admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court of Arizona, Supreme Court of Arizona and the Ninth Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals, Kort is a graduate of the University of Arizona, and earned his J.D. from the Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. He has been selected for inclusion in Southwest Super Lawyers and Arizona’s Finest Lawyers, is a past chair of the Arizona Humane Society board of directors, and currently serves as a board member for Future for Kids.
Lewis Roca Rothgerber’s litigation practice group includes more than 125 attorneys across the firm’s eight offices, and handles disputes for clients ranging from Fortune 50 companies to entrepreneurial ventures, helping resolve disputes before state and Federal trial and appellate courts and administrative tribunals for more than 50 years.
Kort and West are based in Lewis Roca Rothgerber’s Phoenix office.