Michael S. Blass

Partner

Michael advises clients on corporate transactions and regulatory matters involving health care providers and investors.

Michael Blass, Partner, New York at Arent Fox LLP

In addition to structuring and implementing health care transactions, Michael and his group conduct all health care regulatory, corporate, and legal due diligence, and coordinate change of ownership (CHOW) procedures for state licensure, certificate of need, and Medicare and Medicaid certifications.

He handles transactions for a broad variety of health care providers, including long-term care companies, hospital operators, dialysis providers, and home health companies, as well as for healthcare investors and lenders. His transactions frequently involve national health care companies, requiring coordination of numerous state and federal regulatory authorities.

Apart from acquisitions, Michael routinely assists health care clients with real property transactions, financings, joint ventures, facility leases, management contracts, and operations transfers.

Client Work

Michael has represented some of the nation’s largest health care companies in hundreds of acquisitions, divestitures, financings, joint ventures, and other corporate transactions, including the $1.25 billion acquisition of Horizon Healthcare by Integrated Health Services Inc. Recent representative transactions include:

  • The sale-leaseback financing of a multistate portfolio of 18 nursing facilities and 2 hospitals;
  • The merger of a publicly traded dialysis services company;
  • The sale of a surgical specialty hospital in Nevada;
  • A $125 million senior secured credit facility for a national health care provider;
  • The corporate and regulatory restructuring of a 50-state home health and medical staffing company;
  • The acquisition of a portfolio of 16 Texas nursing facilities.

Professional Activities

Michael is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. He is a past member of the board of directors of Community Care of America, Inc. Michael is Chairman of the Board of the National Executive Service Corps, a nonprofit organization that provides professional management consulting services to nonprofits of various types around the country.

Publications, Presentations & Recognitions

Michael spoke on the topic of nursing facility acquisitions at the annual national convention of the American Health Care Association. He also recently chaired the “Deal Making in Health Care” Panel at the Argyle Executive Forum in New York City.

Since 2008, Chambers and Partners has recognized Michael as a leading health care attorney. Every year since 2014, he has received commendation from Legal 500 US as a recommended attorney. In 2007, Nightingale’s Healthcare News named Michael as one of the nation’s Outstanding Healthcare Transactions Lawyers. Michael is also recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine.

Life Beyond the Law

In his spare time, Michael pursues his interests in piano, guitar, history, literature, golf, tennis, and classic movies.

Perspectives

Awards

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Chambers USA: “He is perhaps the best lawyer I have ever worked with. I cannot undersell his excellence. He is an extraordinary draftsman, willing to roll his sleeves up, and is careful and thoughtful. He is also very strategic and knows how to strike a balance in negotiation.”