Department of Legal Affairs

Amy J. Phillips, JD

Director

Phone:   800.375.9508
Fax:       225.763.2335
Email:    legalaffairs@lsms.org

The LSMS Department of Legal Affairs provides LSMS members, leadership and component societies with legal information, guidance, and assistance pertaining to their practice on a wide variety of medical-legal issues and corporate matters.

The Legal Affairs staff prepares memorandums, articles, notices and other educational materials to keep the membership informed on the many ways the law affects the practice of medicine; coordinates the drafting of all amicus briefs filed on behalf of the physicians of the LSMS in cases that could adversely impact the practice of medicine and those that threaten the Medical Malpractice Act. From time to time, the department reviews proposed rules and regulations issued by various state and federal agencies and drafts comments on behalf of the LSMS.

The Department also provides information on, and analysis of, the numerous legal issues brought to light as a result of the expansion of managed care in Louisiana, and serves as the LSMS liaison with the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners and the Louisiana Medical Disclosure Panel.

The Department of Legal Affairs can refer member physicians to qualified health care attorneys when individual representation is needed.