Industry savvy healthcare and life sciences counsel on practical risks and innovative business approaches

Karen Gibbs has extensive experience in regulatory, compliance and policy issues in the healthcare and life sciences industries, including pharmacies (retail, mail, compounding, specialty and veterinary), wholesale distributors, pharmaceutical and biological manufacturers, pharmacy benefit management (PBM) companies, device manufacturers, durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers, hospitals, behavioral health providers and senior living providers. She regularly advises investors and lenders focused on the healthcare and life sciences industries, including private equity, growth equity, venture firms and lenders. Matters on which she advises clients include:

• Healthcare transactions, representing buyers, sellers and investors in all aspects of the sale or purchase of healthcare and life sciences entities.
• Regulatory compliance, including federal and state regulations, with a particular focus on laws relevant to pharmaceuticals.
• Internal and government investigations.
• Guidance on novel ways to navigate the regulatory climate.

Before joining Quarles, Karen was a partner at another major law firm. She also previously served as vice president and senior counsel at CVS Health, an integrated Fortune 20 pharmacy company. There, she led a team of lawyers who managed a wide array of regulatory matters and investigations.

As a former industry insider, Karen is particularly acute at guiding clients through business decisions in a complex regulatory environment. She is known for being a highly responsive, collaborative partner who is laser focused on helping clients manage risk and find solutions in a fast-paced and constantly evolving world. Karen's deep industry knowledge and forward-looking views on regulatory policy enable her to maximize value for clients.

Bar Admissions

• Illinois

Education

• Georgetown University School of Foreign Service (B.S.F.S., 1987)

• University of Virginia Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (M.A., 1989)

• University of Virginia School of Law (J.D., 1992)
  • Order of the Coif
  • Virginia Law Review
  • Mortimer Caplin Public Service Award and James C. Slaughter Honor Award