Medical Practice Attorney • Lithia, Florida

Medical Practice Attorney in Lithia

By · Managing Partner
Last updated

Physician practice acquisitions carry a regulatory layer that standard business transactions do not. Corporate Practice of Medicine rules, Medicare and Medicaid provider number transfers, Stark Law compliance, and payor credentialing timelines all affect whether a deal closes cleanly and the practice keeps running. Our Lithia medical practice attorneys guide physicians buying and selling practices across Agriculture, Healthcare, Professional Services and the healthcare sector, with Managing Partner Alex Lubyansky personally involved in every engagement.

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Selective M&A Practice
Personal Attention
Senior Counsel on Every Deal

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What We Do

Alex Lubyansky handles medical practice acquisition law work for buyers and sellers in Lithia and across the country. Here is what that looks like:

  • Purchase agreement drafting and negotiation for physician practice acquisitions
  • Corporate Practice of Medicine (CPOM) compliance and MSO structuring
  • Medicare and Medicaid provider number transfer and CHOW filing coordination
  • Payor contract assignment, credentialing, and insurance panel transfer
  • Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) regulatory diligence
  • Physician employment agreement, partnership buy-in, and non-compete negotiation
  • Staged acquisition structuring (51% initial purchase with remainder option)
  • Psychiatry, behavioral health, and specialty practice acquisition counsel

Who We Serve

We work best with people who know what they want and are ready to move:

  • Physicians buying into or acquiring the practice where they currently work
  • Physicians doing a staged buy-in (initial percentage with option for remainder)
  • Medical practice owners selling to a physician group, PE platform, or hospital system
  • Psychiatrists or psychotherapists buying or selling a behavioral health practice
  • Physicians negotiating a partnership buy-in or co-ownership structure
  • Private equity healthcare platforms acquiring physician practices

See If Your Deal Is a Fit

Tell us what you are working on. We respond within one business day.

Your information is kept strictly confidential and will never be shared. Privacy Policy

Our Process

A structured, methodical approach to medical practice acquisition law

1

Regulatory Landscape Review

We assess the CPOM posture, Stark and AKS exposure, CON requirements, and Medicare and Medicaid provider number transfer mechanics for your specific transaction before any term sheet is signed.

2

Deal Structure and MSO Design

Managing Partner Alex Lubyansky structures the acquisition to respect CPOM limits, optimize risk and tax treatment, and where needed designs an MSO or friendly-PC arrangement that preserves clinical independence while delivering the economic deal.

3

Healthcare-Focused Due Diligence

We conduct diligence across payor contracts, Medicare and Medicaid enrollment, compliance program maturity, malpractice history, physician employment agreements, and patient volume concentrations to surface risks before closing.

4

Purchase Agreement and Ancillary Documents

We negotiate the purchase agreement, physician employment or non-compete terms, transition services arrangement, and earnout provisions tied to clinical performance metrics specific to the practice type.

5

Closing and Clinical Continuity

We coordinate CHOW filings, payor credentialing timelines, and post-closing integration to ensure patient care and reimbursement continue without interruption from day one of your ownership.

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What Happens After You Submit

We don't take every matter. Here is what happens when you reach out.

1

Personal Review (Within 24 Hours)

Alex reviews your transaction details personally. No intake coordinators, no junior associates screening your submission.

2

Fit Assessment

We evaluate whether your deal aligns with our practice. Not every matter is a fit, and we will tell you directly if it is not.

3

Initial Conversation

If there is alignment, Alex schedules a direct call to discuss your transaction, timeline, and objectives.

4

Clear Engagement Terms

Before any work begins, you receive a written engagement letter with defined scope, timeline, and fee structure. No surprises.

Request Your Lithia Engagement Assessment

Alex Lubyansky handles every medical practice acquisition law engagement personally.

15+ years of M&A experience. Nationwide. One attorney on every deal.

Request Engagement Assessment

We review every transaction inquiry within one business day.

Your information is kept strictly confidential and will never be shared. Privacy Policy

Questions to Ask Any M&A Attorney Before Hiring

Use these before you call any firm, including ours.

1. "Who will actually handle my transaction?"

At many firms, a partner sells the work and a junior associate does it. Ask for the name of the attorney who will draft and negotiate your documents.

2. "How many M&A transactions has the lead attorney closed in the past 12 months?"

Volume indicates current, active deal experience, not just credentials from years ago.

3. "What is your experience with my deal size and industry?"

A $500K SBA acquisition and a $50M PE deal require different skill sets. Make sure the attorney has handled transactions similar to yours.

4. "Will you coordinate with my CPA, financial advisor, and broker?"

M&A transactions require a team. Your attorney should work with your other advisors, not in a silo.

5. "How do you handle post-closing disputes?"

Reps, warranties, and indemnification claims surface months after closing. Ask whether the firm handles post-closing litigation or refers it out.

6. "What is your fee structure, and what drives cost?"

Ask how the engagement is scoped, what is included, and what factors drive cost increases. Defined scope with a retainer gives the clearest cost picture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from Lithia clients

What does a medical practice attorney do?
A medical practice attorney handles the legal and regulatory side of buying or selling a physician practice. This includes structuring the deal to comply with Corporate Practice of Medicine rules, conducting diligence on payor contracts and Medicare enrollment, negotiating the purchase agreement and physician employment terms, and coordinating provider number transfers. At Acquisition Stars, Managing Partner Alex Lubyansky personally handles every physician practice transaction.
What is a staged acquisition of a medical practice?
A staged acquisition is a common structure where the buyer acquires an initial ownership percentage, often 51%, with a contractual right or obligation to purchase the remaining interest over time. This structure lets the buyer begin building equity while the seller transitions gradually, and it can align incentives around patient retention and practice performance. The legal documents must carefully address buy-in price, trigger conditions, and each party's rights during the interim period.
How does Corporate Practice of Medicine affect a physician practice acquisition?
Most states restrict ownership of medical practices to licensed physicians. When a non-physician buyer is involved, the deal typically requires a Management Services Organization structure that separates the clinical entity from the business operations. In strong CPOM states, the structure must hold up under state scrutiny while still delivering the economic deal the parties negotiated. We design structures that work in your specific state.
What happens to Medicare and Medicaid enrollment when a practice is sold?
Medicare and Medicaid provider numbers and enrollment do not automatically transfer to a new owner. Depending on the transaction structure, the buyer may need to file a Change of Ownership (CHOW) with CMS, apply for new enrollment, or reassign billing privileges. The timing of these filings directly affects cash flow after closing. We build the provider number transition into the deal timeline so reimbursement does not stall.
Can a physician buy the practice they currently work at?
Yes, and it is one of the most common physician practice transactions we handle. The physician already knows the patient base, the payor mix, and the operations, which simplifies due diligence but creates its own negotiating dynamics. Key issues include how the practice is valued relative to the physician's existing compensation, how a transition period is structured if the selling physician stays on, and how non-compete terms are written to reflect the physician's prior relationship with the practice.
What can I expect during an initial consultation in Lithia?
During your confidential initial consultation in Lithia, we'll discuss your medical practice acquisition law needs, review your current situation, assess potential challenges specific to Florida, and outline a clear path forward. We'll explain our process, answer your questions, and determine if we're the right fit for your needs.
Do you work with companies outside of Lithia?
Yes, we represent clients nationwide while maintaining a strong presence in Lithia. Our managing partner handles medical practice acquisition law matters across all 50 states, coordinating with local counsel where state-specific requirements apply.

Need Specific Guidance?

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Your information is kept strictly confidential and will never be shared. Privacy Policy

M&A Market: Lithia & the Tampa Metro

Tampa Bay's M&A market has surged alongside the region's rapid population and business growth, with particular strength in financial services, insurance, and healthcare. The area's emergence as a technology hub (Tampa's 'Water Street' development) is attracting VC-backed startups that will eventually become acquisition targets. The region's large retiree population drives consistent deal flow in wealth management, home health, and senior services.

Top M&A Sectors Near Lithia

  • Financial Services & Insurance
  • Healthcare
  • Technology
  • Marine & Port Services
  • Senior Care

Deal Environment

Tampa's deal market is increasingly competitive as relocating executives bring capital and acquisition expertise from the Northeast. The region's growing sophistication means sellers are better advised than in previous years, leading to more structured sale processes.

Why Acquire in the Tampa Area

Tampa Bay's population growth, absence of state income tax, and improving infrastructure (including a growing tech workforce) make it one of the most attractive acquisition markets in the Southeast.

Florida Legal Considerations

Florida broadly enforces non-compete agreements under its statute (Section 542.335), which establishes presumptions of reasonableness for specific timeframes and shifts the burden to the party opposing enforcement - this generally favors buyers seeking to protect acquired business value.

Local Market Context

Lithia M&A Market

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL MSA · MSA population 3.3M

MSA Population (2024)

3.3M

U.S. Census Bureau

Top Industry Concentration

  1. 1 financial services and insurance
  2. 2 technology services
  3. 3 healthcare

Tampa has grown into a significant Southeast financial services and technology hub, benefiting from Florida's tax advantages and lower cost of operations compared to Northeast markets. The metro has attracted financial services firms, insurance companies, and technology services businesses relocating from higher-cost markets. Healthcare and defense contracting (driven by MacDill Air Force Base) are additional M&A drivers.

Major Lithia Employers and Deal Anchors

  • Raymond James Financial
  • Publix (distribution hub)
  • WellCare Health Plans
  • BayCare Health System
  • Jabil Circuit
  • USSOCOM (MacDill AFB)

Transit and Logistics

Tampa International Airport serves the metro with domestic and international connectivity. Port Tampa Bay is the largest Florida port by tonnage and a significant phosphate export terminal. The port's phosphate and fertilizer trade adds an agribusiness M&A dimension.

Recent Lithia Deal Signal (2024-2025)

Insurance and specialty finance acquisitions were active in the Tampa metro in 2024, reflecting the market's established position as a Southeast financial services hub. Raymond James Financial's continued advisory and wealth management acquisitions were a consistent deal signal.

Source (accessed 2026-04-27)

Local Regulatory Notes for Medical Practice Acquisition Law

Florida OFR handles securities oversight. No unusual local Tampa or Hillsborough County restrictions on business transfers.

Florida Legal Considerations for Medical Practice Acquisition Law

Non-Compete Laws

Strongly enforced under statutory framework (Section 542.335). Hardship to employee not considered.

Filing Requirements

Entity mergers, conversions, and dissolutions require filing with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz). Bulk asset purchasers must obtain a clearance letter from the Department of Revenue. Professional license transfers require separate filings with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Key Florida Considerations

  • Florida's non-compete statute expressly prohibits courts from considering the hardship to the restricted party, making it one of the most employer-friendly non-compete regimes in the country
  • Florida has no personal income tax, which significantly affects deal structure and makes pass-through entity acquisitions (S-corps, LLCs) particularly tax-efficient for Florida-resident buyers
  • Florida's homestead exemption (unlimited value, subject to acreage limits) can complicate personal guarantees and indemnification provisions in acquisition agreements involving individual sellers

Florida Bar Authority

The Florida Bar (mandatory unified bar). Unified/integrated bar. Membership required to practice law in Florida.

Bar association website

Florida Federal and Business Courts

Federal districts: N.D. Fla., M.D. Fla., S.D. Fla.

Business court: Florida Circuit Court Business Courts (multiple counties) (established 2003) Specialized business court divisions operate in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Hillsborough (Tampa), and Orange (Orlando) counties. Florida Statute sec. 542.335 governs restrictive covenants and is nationally notable for its pro-enforcement stance.

Florida M&A Market Context

Florida is a major lower-middle-market M&A state, with Miami as an international deal-flow hub and Tampa-Orlando as domestic healthcare and distribution transaction centers.

Watchpoints

Common Lithia Medical Practice Acquisition Law Pitfalls

These are the items we see derail medical practice acquisition law transactions in the Lithia market. Each one is rooted in current statutory law, recent legislative changes, or recurring patterns from the deals Alex has handled.

1

Florida non-compete enforcement and earn-out exposure

State legal framework

Strongly enforced under statutory framework (Section 542.335). Hardship to employee not considered.

"The longer a deal drags, the worse it gets. Deal fatigue is real. Even when both parties agreed to something early on, if dates slip and deadlines slip, human nature takes over. At some point one side goes back to the internal drawing board and decides they don't want to be part of it anymore. I usually find this to be symptomatic of a poor process on the front end. Not malice. Not negative intent. Not someone running up fees. Just poor alignment, poor qualification, poor structuring at the start of the engagement. Once that's the foundation, every missed date compounds. The fix isn't more negotiation in the middle. The fix is doing better qualification before the deal team is even hired."
Alex Lubyansky · Leo Landaverde M&A Podcast
2

Lithia local regulatory exposure

Local regulatory

Florida OFR handles securities oversight. No unusual local Tampa or Hillsborough County restrictions on business transfers.

3

Florida regulatory framework attorneys flag at LOI

State statute

Securities regulated by Florida Office of Financial Regulation (flofr.gov). Florida follows a comprehensive securities act; Blue Sky notice filings required for Reg D. Florida is a significant enforcement state for unregistered offerings.

Guides and Resources

In-depth guides to help you prepare for your transaction

M&A Legal Services

Full-service M&A counsel from letter of intent through closing.

Read guide

Due Diligence Checklist

A structured approach to legal, financial, and operational due diligence.

Read guide

LOI vs Purchase Agreement

Understanding the binding and non-binding elements of each document.

Read guide

Why Deals Fail

Common deal-killers and how experienced counsel helps prevent them.

Read guide

Other Medical Practice Attorney Service Areas Near Lithia

Acquisition Stars represents clients across Florida and nationwide. Alex Lubyansky handles every engagement personally.

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Don't see your city? View all Medical Practice Attorney service areas or contact us directly.

Related Services in Lithia

Statewide and Nearby Markets

Helpful Resources

Attorney perspective on medical practice attorney matters in Lithia

Alex Lubyansky, Managing Partner at Acquisition Stars
"The best legal counsel prevents problems you never knew existed."
Alex Lubyansky, Senior Counsel On attorney behavior (advisory) (Alex LinkedIn Published (Notion library))

15+ years of M&A and securities transaction experience Senior counsel on every engagement Admitted in Michigan, practicing nationwide

Reviewed by Alex Lubyansky on . Read full bio

Ready to Talk About Your Lithia Deal?

Alex Lubyansky handles every engagement personally. Tell us about your transaction and we will let you know if there is a fit.

Request Engagement Assessment

Tell us about your deal. We review every submission and respond within one business day.

Your information is kept strictly confidential and will never be shared. Privacy Policy

One attorney on every deal. Nationwide. 15+ years of M&A experience.