Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton hired Ashley Wheelock as a partner in Houston. Wheelock was most recently a partner at Troutman Pepper Locke.
Wheelock is the latest partner to join the firm’s growing healthcare team. The firm has welcomed 15 healthcare partners since January 2024. She follows most recent lateral partners Hoyt Sze and Margia Corner, who joined from the University of California, and Gene Besen, Scarlett Singleton Nokes and Elisha Kobre, who joined from Bradley Arant Boult Cummings last month.
“Ashley’s addition to the firm reflects our strategic focus on continuing to expand our Healthcare team with attorneys who have a deep understanding of the healthcare landscape,” Luca Salvi, chair of Sheppard Mullin, said. “We are thrilled to welcome her to Sheppard Mullin. She brings essential skills and knowledge that will greatly benefit our healthcare clients in Texas and nationally.”
“As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, having lawyers with in-depth regulatory knowledge, value-based contracting expertise and compliance experience is crucial for our clients,” Eric Klein, leader of Sheppard Mullin’s Healthcare industry team, said. “Ashley’s understanding of complex healthcare regulations and track record of advising a wide range of providers, health plans and investors will enhance our ability to support clients across the country. Ashley brings us a broad range of specialized expertise across multiple sectors that can help healthcare companies grow and prosper.”
Wheelock’s practice focuses on federal healthcare laws and regulations, including the Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law, CMP Beneficiary Inducement, HIPAA/HITECH, CMS conditions of participation and Medicare enrollment, as well as state regulatory issues, such as the corporate practice of medicine doctrine, fee splitting, scope of practice considerations, facility and practitioner licensing issues, data privacy, telemedicine and telehealth. Wheelock leverages her broad healthcare regulatory expertise to support clients in mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, value-based contracts and risk sharing agreements. Wheelock also advises clients in developing and implementing novel care models in multiple markets.
Wheelock represents hospitals and health systems, health plans, assisted living facilities, behavioral health, private equity, durable medical equipment suppliers, home health agencies, hospice agencies, intermediate care facilities, laboratories, medical spas, nursing homes, pharmacies and practitioners.
“I am excited to join Sheppard Mullin and collaborate with such a talented team of attorneys,” Wheelock said. “The firm’s reputation for excellence, innovation and client-focused service in the healthcare industry fits perfectly with my passion for helping clients navigate difficult regulatory and transactional challenges. I look forward to contributing to the continued growth and success of the Healthcare practice.”
Wheelock earned her B.A. from The College of William & Mary and her J.D., magna cum laude, from Tulane University Law School, where she was managing editor of the Tulane Maritime Law Journal.
