Melesa Freerks

Melesa Freerks is a healthcare regulatory and transactional partner who represents private equity sponsors, their portfolio companies, strategic investors, founders, and providers within the healthcare sector. Melesa is frequently called upon as special regulatory counsel in connection with major acquisitions, dispositions, and regulatory matters on behalf of healthcare strategic investors, public companies, private equity sponsors, and their platforms/portfolio companies.   

She is engaged by private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies for guidance on structural, transactional, regulatory and enforcement matters and regularly advises healthcare clients on a broad range of healthcare-related issues including corporate transactions, federal and multi-state regulatory matters, compliance programs, fraud and abuse issues, employment agreements, and privacy matters. 

Additionally, Melesa provides guidance on business issues and serves as transactional and  regulatory counsel to both lenders and public and private borrowers in the healthcare and life sciences sectors as well as hospitals, physician group practices, ambulatory surgery centers, urgent care centers, pharmacies, veterinary practice platforms, medical device companies, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, physicians, dentists, and other healthcare providers, artificial intelligence (AI) companies. 

Melesa regularly counsels clients on the corporate practice of medicine and licensed professionals, state, and federal fraud and abuse laws, including Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, False Claims Act, HIPAA, state anti-referral and anti-kickback laws, and related regulatory issues. Melesa also serves as outside healthcare general counsel for several clients. 

Prior to joining DLA, Melesa was a partner for a Top 10 AM Law 100 global law firm.