Nicholas P. Hansen

Education


UCLA School of Law, Los Angeles, California
J.D. 1988

Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
B.A. 1985, Philosophy; Magna Cum Laude

Legal Experience

Hansen Law Firm, LLC, Denver, Colorado
Partner, 2000 to Present
Nationwide trial, litigation and consulting practice specializing in the resolution of complex business disputes and health care related litigation.

Ireland, Stapleton, Pryor & Pascoe, P.C., Denver, Colorado
Partner, 1996 to 2000
Trial and appellate lawyer. Handled banking, real estate, landlord/tenant, securities, general corporate and health care related cases in state and federal courts across the country.

Broad and Cassel, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Of Counsel, 1994 to 1996
Trial lawyer. Handled professional malpractice and health care related cases throughout the country.

Kirkland & Ellis, Denver, Colorado
Associate, 1988 to 1994
Practiced as litigation associate in a variety of commercial cases (involving financial and credit reporting, securities, banking, health care and insurance). Caseload also included product liability, lender liability, professional malpractice, trade secrets, employment and real estate matters.

Key Legal Accomplishments



Crossroads Care of Texas & Children’s Center of Victoria v. CoreSource, Inc., et al., American Arbitration Association (2007): Defended preferred provider network against breach of contract claim by health care providers that wrong fee schedule was applied.
Result: Claimants’ expert not permitted to testify regarding alleged damages.

William A. Rivell, M.D. v. Private Healthcare Systems, Inc. and the Capella Group,
United States District Court, Georgia (2007): Defended preferred provider network against class action alleging misuse of discounted fee agreements resulting in tort of misappropriation.
Result: Trial court dismissed claim on motion to dismiss. Appeal filed by plaintiffs, but not handled by firm. 2007 WL 1221315 (S.D. Ga., April 20, 2007).

Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital v. Pacific Life, et al.,
American Arbitration Association (2007): Defended claims payer against hospital’s allegation of improper reimbursement.
Result: Claim dismissed and clients awarded attorneys’ fees and costs.

Albert J. Torres, M.D. v. Private Healthcare Systems, Inc.,
Connecticut Supreme Court (2006): Defended preferred provider organization’s right to terminate doctor’s participation in network all the way to the Connecticut Supreme Court.
Result: Arbitration award against client overturned for public policy reasons on appeal and doctor’s termination by client upheld. 278 Conn. 291 (Conn. 2006).

Integrated Services, Inc. v. Private Healthcare Systems, Inc.,
United States District Court, Illinois (2006): Defended preferred provider network against claim by health care provider that it was incorrectly compensated as an in-network provider.
Result: Trial court dismissed claim on motion for summary judgment.

Dr. R. v. Private Healthcare Systems, Inc.,
American Arbitration Association, Pennsylvania (2003): Represented preferred provider organization in arbitration proceeding against claim by doctor that his termination was inappropriate.
Result: Arbitrator dismissed claim and termination of provider upheld.

Danca v. Emerson Hospital,
United States Court of Appeals, United States District Court, Massachusetts (1999): Represented managed care client against claim that its alleged negligent medical decision making caused subsequent suicide attempt.
Result: Trial Court dismissed claim on motion to dismiss and dismissal upheld on appeal. 185 F.3d 1 (1st Cir. 1999).

Marx v. Private Healthcare Systems, Inc.,
United States Court of Appeals, United States District Court, Georgia (1999): Represented managed care client against claim that its alleged negligent medical decision making caused premature death.
Result: Trial Court dismissed claim on motion to dismiss and dismissal upheld on appeal.

Hiatt v. Juergens,
Colorado District Court (1998): Represented inventor/entrepreneur against claim by investor that he failed to receive appropriate share of multi-million dollar company.
Result: Trial Court dismissed claim on motion for summary judgment.

Ogden Entertainment Services, Inc. v. Elitch Gardens Company,
Colorado District Court (1997): Represented amusement park company against breach of contract claim by food vendor.
Result: Successful settlement of case after assertion and pursuit of counterclaims against food vendor.

Palmisano v. Private Healthcare Systems, Inc.,
American Arbitration Association, Illinois (1997): Represented preferred provider organization network in arbitration proceeding against claim by doctor that she was terminated unfairly.
Result: Arbitrator dismissed claim and Illinois state courts upheld dismissal upon appeal.

Buffer v. Concentra Managed Care, Inc.,
Florida Circuit Court (1996): Represented managed care client against claim that negligent case management resulted in debilitating back injuries.
Result: Trial Court dismissed claim upon motion for summary judgment.

Priem v. Northwestern National Life Ins. Co.,
United States District Court, Texas (1995): Defended managed care client against claim that alleged premature discharge from the hospital caused subsequent heart attack.
Result: Complete defense jury verdict.

Amazing Enterprises v. Dun & Bradstreet, Inc.,
Colorado District Court (1994): Represented financial and credit reporting company against negligent misrepresentation claim by investors in ponzi scheme.
Result: Trial Court dismissed claim on motion for summary judgment.

Publications & Speaking Engagements



"Legal Liability of Negligent Credentialing,"
American Association of Preferred Provider Organizations 2003 Annual PPO Forum, Scottsdale, AZ, January 2003

"Litigating Medical Necessity Determinations,"
Managed Care Law Institute, Chicago, IL, December 1995

"Utilization Review: The Treating Physician's Dilemma,"
Health Manager News, May 1995

"Texas Jury Decides Utilization Review Company is Not Liable for Alleged Premature Discharge and Subsequent Heart Attack,"
The Health Lawyer – The ABA Forum on Health Law, Vol. 8, No. 4, Late Summer 1995

"ERISA Preemption and Claims Against Insurers, Administrators and UR Companies,"
Sixteenth Annual Institute on Medicare and Medicaid Payment Issues, Baltimore, MD, March 1995

Courts Admitted



State Courts: Colorado and Florida

Federal Courts: Colorado, Northern District of California, Middle District of Florida, Central District of Illinois, 1st Circuit Court of Appeals, and 11th Circuit Court of Appeals

Public Service and Interests

Chairman of Advisory Board, Family Tree, Inc.

Fishing, Snow Skiing and Scuba Diving