Overview

Colin Luke is a healthcare attorney and the executive partner of Holland & Knight's Birmingham office. Mr. Luke has extensive experience in healthcare transactions and regulatory issues involving a wide range of providers in the academic, governmental, nonprofit and for-profit sectors. He is routinely involved in Certificate of Need matters, joint ventures between physician and other types of providers, and sales or mergers of healthcare providers.

Hospitals, health systems, physicians and outpatient services providers depend on Mr. Luke for assistance with regulatory compliance matters involving the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark law, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and patient privacy, state healthcare regulations and the development of effective corporate compliance programs.

Healthcare clients also rely on Mr. Luke for assistance with operations issues such as provider and payer certifications, facility licensure and Certificates of Need. Additionally, he is highly sought-after for his experience with a wide range of transactional matters. including the acquisition and divestiture of healthcare facilities and the formation of healthcare joint ventures.

Previously, Mr. Luke led Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis' Healthcare Compliance and Operations practice. He also represented healthcare providers in the Southeast as a partner with two Birmingham, Alabama, law firms. Early in his career, he served as vice president and corporate counsel for Active Services Corporation, one of the nation's largest providers of adult day healthcare services. In this role, he managed the acquisition and development of healthcare facilities and oversaw the company's regulatory compliance program.

Representative Experience

  • Represented Anniston Health Care Authority in the transfer of RMC Jacksonville Medical Center to Jacksonville State University
  • Served as counsel to The Health Care Authority of the City of Anniston in its $25 million acquisition of Stringfellow Memorial Hospital
  • Represented Cullman Regional Medical Center in its acquisition of Cullman Surgery Center from Surgical Care Affiliates (SCA)
  • Represented Russell Medical Center in Alexander City, Ala. in its management agreement with UAB Health System
  • Served as counsel to The Sylacauga Health Care Authority in the restructuring of a joint venture between the authority and a group of medical oncologists
  • Assisting University of South Alabama Health System in working through a $2 million donation for a new campus as well as a joint venture with Surgery Partners for an ambulatory surgery center
  • Advised the HealthCare Authority of the City of Cullman in establishing a Hospital Quality and Efficiency Program (HQEP) with its medical staff
  • Represented the Medical University of South Carolina in negotiating a joint venture agreement and management services organization agreement with Tribe513

  • Assisted Alabama Eye Physicians and Surgeons in securing a certificate of need from the State Health Planning and Development Agency and successfully defended the agency’s decision at the Alabama Civil Court of Appeals
  • Assisted Noland Health Services in the CON process and in defending Noland’s plans in an administrative hearing, gaining a favorable result for Noland
  • Served as counsel to the University of South Alabama Medical Center in its application for a certificate of need (CON)

  • Represented Central Alabama Radiation Oncology in securing an appellate victory from the Alabama Supreme Court in an Open Records Act case against a competing health system
  • Served as lead transaction and healthcare regulatory counsel to Covenant Surgical Partners in its partnership with Arizona Centers for Digestive Health
  • Defended DaVita, Inc. against DaVita medical directors seeking to nullify a non-compete agreement for their own private practice. Waller successfully removed the case and obtained a transfer to a more convenient forum. The lawsuit is currently pending.
  • Advised Gulf South Surgery Center in the restructuring of its ownership in an ambulatory surgery, which included several real property and tax considerations

Credentials

Education
  • The University of Chicago Law School, J.D.
  • Vanderbilt University, B.A., Political Science, summa cum laude
Bar Admissions/Licenses
  • Alabama
Memberships
  • American Bar Association, Health Law Section, Health Reform Task Force, Vice President; Business Law Section
  • American Health Law Association
  • Cumberland School of Law, Annual Health Law Update, Planning Committee
  • Alabama State Bar, Health Law Section, Former Chair; Business Law Section
  • Birmingham Zoo, Founding Board Member and Past President
  • The Altamont School, Board of Trustees, Former Member
  • Oasis Women's Counseling Center, Board of Directors, Former Member
  • Alabama Kidney Foundation, Former Board Member
  • Center Management, Inc., Board of Directors, Current Member and Former Chairman
  • Alabama Republican Party Executive Committee, Member, Past General Counsel
  • Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Board Member
  • Eagle Forum of Alabama
  • City Club, Board of Governors
  • ALCAP
Honors & Awards
  • Best of the Bar, Birmingham Business Journal, 2024
  • Chambers USA – America's Leading Lawyers for Business guide, Healthcare, 2016-2023
  • The Best Lawyers in America guide, Health Care Law, 2009-2024; Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2008-2024
  • Mid-South Super Lawyers magazine, Healthcare, 2009-2019
  • Business Alabama, Top Attorneys in Alabama
  • Birmingham Business Journal, Best of the Bar
  • Who's Who in Health Care, Birmingham Business Journal
  • Harry S. Truman Scholar

News