Partner

 

PRACTICE AREAS

 

·         Healthcare Law

·         Government Law

·         Litigation

 

 

EDUCATION

1981 - Juris Doctor         Northern Illinois University College of Law
    Honors:
        Dean’s Honor Roll
    Activities:
        President, International Law Society (3 years)

 

        Co-Editor, International Law Journal (2 years)

        Officer, Delta Theta Phi International Law Fraternity (3 years)

  
1979 -    Notre Dame Law School Program at London School of Economics & Political Science, England

 

1978 -    Bachelor of Arts

University of Illinois at Urbana

University of Aberdeen, Scotland (1976-1975)

Western Illinois University (1975-1974)

Monmouth College, New Jersey (1974-1973)

 

 

ADMISSIONS

 

2006 - United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

2003 - United States District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois 

1994 - United States Supreme Court

1984 - United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois - Trial Bar

1982 - United States Court of Appeal for the Seventh Circuit

1981 - United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

1981 - Illinois Supreme Court

 

 

EXPERIENCE

 

Mr. Lower’s legal experience has an emphasis on healthcare, governmental affairs and Court of Claims litigation. His background is marked by depth in the areas of administrative and regulatory representation, not-for-profit corporate transactions, corporate compliance, labor relations and healthcare confidentiality, licensure and reimbursement. He has been a practicing healthcare attorney for over twenty-seven years.

 

 

PRESENTATION AND SEMINARS

 

·         Speaker, Community Behavioral Healthcare Association of Illinois

·         Speaker, Chicago Hospital Risk Pooling Program of the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council

·         Speaker, Illinois Council on Long Term Care

·         Speaker, Medical Educational Services, Inc.

 

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS, AFFILIATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

 

·         Chicago Bar Association (Sustaining Member)

·         Illinois Association of Healthcare Attorneys

·         Illinois State Bar Association

·         Illinois Trial Lawyers Association

·         Litigation Counsel of America (Charter Fellow)

·         Illinois Super Lawyers magazine listed (2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009)

 

CIVIC MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS

 

·         Union League Club of Chicago

·         Lincoln Park Zoo

·         Free Mason - Scottish Rite – Shriner

·         Principal for a Day, CPS

 

PRIOR PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS

 

·         American Bar Association

·         American Health Lawyers Association

·         Community and Residential Services Authority

·         Health Care Compliance Association

·         Long-Term Care Facility Advisory Board

·         National Guardianship Association, Registered Guardian

 

 

EMPLOYMENT

 

Founder, Fioretti & Lower Law Offices, Ltd. (2004 – 2007; 2008- Present)

Represent healthcare providers, individual clients and acting as Special Illinois Assistant Attorney General in select matters for the State of Illinois. 

Founder, Fioretti, Lower & Carbonara, LLP (2007 - 2008)

Represented healthcare providers, individual clients and acted as Special Illinois Assistant Attorney General in select matters for the State of Illinois.

Partner, Coston, Fioretti & Lichtman (2003 - 2004)

Represented municipalities, healthcare providers, individual clients and acted as Special Illinois Assistant Attorney General in select matters for the State of Illinois.  

Partner, Fioretti, Des Jardins & Reda, Ltd. (2001 - 2003)

Represented municipalities, healthcare providers, individual clients and acted as Special

Illinois Assistant Attorney General in select matters for the State of Illinois.  

Senior Counsel, Popovits & Robinson, P.C., (1999 - 2001)

Represented numerous behavioral healthcare providers on a wide range of legal issues,

including contracting, corporate compliance, reimbursement and labor relations

General Counsel, Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission (1990 - 1999)

Chief legal advisor to $7.8 Million bi-partisan State commission which investigates allegations of systemic rights and regulatory violations involving long term care, provides legal assistance and representation to persons with disabilities, and serves as court-appointed public guardian.  Advised Governing Board and executive officers on all facets of operations including healthcare policy analysis, legislative affairs, budgetary development, contracts, labor relations, and media management. Planned, directed and managed the litigation activities of 16 trial and appellate attorneys.

Senior Counsel, Illinois Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (1981 -1990)

Lead counsel to 21 state-operated facility service provider network on healthcare operations, regulatory compliance, risk management, contracts, credentialing and rulemaking. Trial experience includes Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement, medical and psychiatric malpractice, probate, employment, administrative review, and a wide range of constitutional issues. Mr. Lower was recognized in 1990 for outstanding service in his representation, guidance and success against actions brought by the United States Department of Health and Human Services to decertify state facilities from federal participation in Medicaid/Medicare. His efforts were credited with preventing the loss of $20 Million per year in federal participation monies to the state. 

 

Illinois Real Estate Broker, (1982 - Present)

 

Illinois Insurance Broker, (1978 - 1986)

 

Email: jbl@flc-law.com