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Sara specializes in representing her healthcare and life sciences clients in complex disputes and government investigations and litigation in federal and state courts and arbitrations.  Sara's clients include hospitals, academic medical centers, medical groups, retail pharmacies, medical device companies, and other life sciences companies.  She has particular expertise in handling matters that arise under the federal False Claims Act and its state law corollaries.  Sara also focuses on managed care litigation and has successfully recovered millions of dollars for healthcare providers in disputes against heath plans.  In addition to her litigation practice, she regularly advises clients on regulatory matters, including the Stark Law, the Anti-Kickback Statute, and other fraud, abuse, and anti-corruption laws.  She also provides compliance counseling, training, and advice regarding policies and compliance programs. 

An experienced litigator, Sara also represents clients in complex contract and business tort disputes, antitrust litigation, and products liability (pharmaceutical) litigation. She has represented her clients in federal court, state court, and administrative proceedings.

Through Chambers USA, her clients have said: 

     "Sara Brinkmann is an excellent litigator. She is very knowledgeable, highly organized, and a pleasure to work with."

     "She cares about each of her cases and comes up with creative ideas to problem-solve."

     "Sara Brinkmann is a fantastic lawyer."

Sara has been regularly recognized by publications like Chambers and Best Lawyers in America. She is the past Chair of the Health Law Section of the Houston Bar Association. She is also a frequent speaker and presenter.

Full Bio

Credentials

J.D., University of Houston Law Center, cum laude

M.B.A., University of Houston

B.A., Baylor University, Magna Cum Laude

Texas

Law Clerk, Hon. David Hittner, Texas

Defense Research Institute, Member

Federal Bar Association, Member

Greater Houston Society for Healthcare Risk Management

Houston Bar Association, Member (Health Law Section, Chair 2021-2022; Campaign for the Homeless Committee, Former Member; Law Week Committee, Former Member)

State Bar of Texas, Member

Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow

"Sara is very good at keeping larger business outcomes in mind."


Chambers USA 2024

"Sara is intelligent and customer-focused, responsive and competent."


Chambers USA 2024

"Sara is an exceptional attorney who provided outstanding legal analysis."


Chambers USA 2024

Ranked Band 3 for Healthcare in Texas


Chambers USA 2024

Women in the Law


Best Lawyers, 2022

Top Rated Houston, TX Health Care Attorney


Super Lawyers, 2023-2024

Top Women Attorneys in Texas


2024

Best Lawyers in America


Best Lawyers - Texas, 2021 - 2023

Top Ranked Lawyer, Healthcare


Chambers USA, Texas, 2021-2023

“Sara Brinkmann comes recommended for her expert handling of qui tam actions brought under the False Claims Act.”


Chambers USA 2022

“Sara offers notable experience in litigation and administrative proceedings.”


Chambers USA 2022

“Sara Brinkmann possesses significant experience and knowledge on complex issues.”


Chambers USA 2022

Sara is “organized and approachable, and offers thoughtful approaches on ways to achieve the desired result.”


Chambers USA 2022

“She is a really sharp lawyer.”


Chambers USA 2022

Close

Recognition

"Sara is very good at keeping larger business outcomes in mind."


Chambers USA 2024

"Sara is intelligent and customer-focused, responsive and competent."


Chambers USA 2024

"Sara is an exceptional attorney who provided outstanding legal analysis."


Chambers USA 2024

Ranked Band 3 for Healthcare in Texas


Chambers USA 2024

Women in the Law


Best Lawyers, 2022

Top Rated Houston, TX Health Care Attorney


Super Lawyers, 2023-2024

Top Women Attorneys in Texas


2024

Best Lawyers in America


Best Lawyers - Texas, 2021 - 2023

Top Ranked Lawyer, Healthcare


Chambers USA, Texas, 2021-2023

“Sara Brinkmann comes recommended for her expert handling of qui tam actions brought under the False Claims Act.”


Chambers USA 2022

“Sara offers notable experience in litigation and administrative proceedings.”


Chambers USA 2022

“Sara Brinkmann possesses significant experience and knowledge on complex issues.”


Chambers USA 2022

Sara is “organized and approachable, and offers thoughtful approaches on ways to achieve the desired result.”


Chambers USA 2022

“She is a really sharp lawyer.”


Chambers USA 2022

Matters

Successfully defended a nationwide retail pharmacy client in a False Claims Act case in the Southern District of Texas and on appeal in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals involving allegations of regulatory violations related to the dispensing of certain pharmaceuticals, resulting in a full dismissal of the case prior to discovery and was affirmed on appeal at the Fifth Circuit.

Successfully defended a hospital system in a False Claims Act case in the Southern District of Texas involving allegations of Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute violations related to physician recruitment and compensation arrangements, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client.

Successfully defended a hospital system in a False Claims Act case in the Eastern District of Wisconsin involving allegations of Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute violations related to physician group compensation, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client.

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Matters

Successfully defended a nationwide retail pharmacy client in a False Claims Act case in the Southern District of Texas and on appeal in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals involving allegations of regulatory violations related to the dispensing of certain pharmaceuticals, resulting in a full dismissal of the case prior to discovery and was affirmed on appeal at the Fifth Circuit.

Successfully defended a hospital system in a False Claims Act case in the Southern District of Texas involving allegations of Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute violations related to physician recruitment and compensation arrangements, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client.

Successfully defended a hospital system in a False Claims Act case in the Eastern District of Wisconsin involving allegations of Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute violations related to physician group compensation, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client.

Successfully defended an international medical device company in a False Claims Act case in the District of New Jersey involving allegations of coding errors on claim submissions, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client.

Successfully defended nationwide retail pharmacy in a False Claims Act case in the Central District of Illinois involving allegations related to usual and customary pricing, resulting in the Court’s grant of a Motion for Summary Judgment and dismissal of case.

Successfully defended several higher education institutions, academic medical centers, and life sciences companies in responding to Civil Investigative Demands and other government investigation, including conducting internal investigations and presenting to the government.

Advised several higher education institutions on legal and compliance issues, including developing, implementing, and providing training to employees.

Advised hospital systems regarding affiliation agreements and other complex transactions.

Advised and provided due diligence support to healthcare companies and hospital systems for mergers and acquisitions.

Advised hospital system regarding data privacy and HIPAA compliance issues in responding to third-party subpoenas.

Successfully defended a government defense contractor in a False Claims Act case in the Eastern District of Texas involving allegations of kickbacks and failure to comply with certain Federal Acquisition Regulations.

Successfully defended a pharmaceutical company in several product liability cases in federal and state courts across the country.

Successfully represented hospitals systems and other healthcare providers in Texas federal and state court cases involving allegations of breach of contract, violations of Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and Texas Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, and health care liability claim cases.

Successfully represented a hospital system in responding to Medicare RAC audits, securing full reimbursements for hospital system.

Represented a Louisiana hospital system in federal antitrust case.

Successfully defended a managed care organization in response to investigation by the Texas Office of Inspector General, resulting in a favorable result for the client.

Successfully represented a hospital system in responding to third-party subpoenas successfully securing full reimbursements for hospital systems, including obtaining recovery of attorneys’ fees after prosecuting numerous motions to quash and motions for protection of medical and forensic records in civil, family, and criminal cases.

Matters

Successfully defended a nationwide retail pharmacy client in a False Claims Act case in the Southern District of Texas and on appeal in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals involving allegations of regulatory violations related to the dispensing of certain pharmaceuticals, resulting in a full dismissal of the case prior to discovery and was affirmed on appeal at the Fifth Circuit.

Successfully defended a hospital system in a False Claims Act case in the Southern District of Texas involving allegations of Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute violations related to physician recruitment and compensation arrangements, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client.

Successfully defended a hospital system in a False Claims Act case in the Eastern District of Wisconsin involving allegations of Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute violations related to physician group compensation, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client.

See more

Close

Matters

Successfully defended a nationwide retail pharmacy client in a False Claims Act case in the Southern District of Texas and on appeal in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals involving allegations of regulatory violations related to the dispensing of certain pharmaceuticals, resulting in a full dismissal of the case prior to discovery and was affirmed on appeal at the Fifth Circuit.

Successfully defended a hospital system in a False Claims Act case in the Southern District of Texas involving allegations of Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute violations related to physician recruitment and compensation arrangements, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client.

Successfully defended a hospital system in a False Claims Act case in the Eastern District of Wisconsin involving allegations of Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute violations related to physician group compensation, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client.

Successfully defended an international medical device company in a False Claims Act case in the District of New Jersey involving allegations of coding errors on claim submissions, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client.

Successfully defended nationwide retail pharmacy in a False Claims Act case in the Central District of Illinois involving allegations related to usual and customary pricing, resulting in the Court’s grant of a Motion for Summary Judgment and dismissal of case.

Successfully defended several higher education institutions, academic medical centers, and life sciences companies in responding to Civil Investigative Demands and other government investigation, including conducting internal investigations and presenting to the government.

Advised several higher education institutions on legal and compliance issues, including developing, implementing, and providing training to employees.

Advised hospital systems regarding affiliation agreements and other complex transactions.

Advised and provided due diligence support to healthcare companies and hospital systems for mergers and acquisitions.

Advised hospital system regarding data privacy and HIPAA compliance issues in responding to third-party subpoenas.

Successfully defended a government defense contractor in a False Claims Act case in the Eastern District of Texas involving allegations of kickbacks and failure to comply with certain Federal Acquisition Regulations.

Successfully defended a pharmaceutical company in several product liability cases in federal and state courts across the country.

Successfully represented hospitals systems and other healthcare providers in Texas federal and state court cases involving allegations of breach of contract, violations of Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and Texas Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, and health care liability claim cases.

Successfully represented a hospital system in responding to Medicare RAC audits, securing full reimbursements for hospital system.

Represented a Louisiana hospital system in federal antitrust case.

Successfully defended a managed care organization in response to investigation by the Texas Office of Inspector General, resulting in a favorable result for the client.

Successfully represented a hospital system in responding to third-party subpoenas successfully securing full reimbursements for hospital systems, including obtaining recovery of attorneys’ fees after prosecuting numerous motions to quash and motions for protection of medical and forensic records in civil, family, and criminal cases.

Credentials

J.D., University of Houston Law Center, cum laude

M.B.A., University of Houston

B.A., Baylor University, Magna Cum Laude

Texas

Law Clerk, Hon. David Hittner, Texas

Defense Research Institute, Member

Federal Bar Association, Member

Greater Houston Society for Healthcare Risk Management

Houston Bar Association, Member (Health Law Section, Chair 2021-2022; Campaign for the Homeless Committee, Former Member; Law Week Committee, Former Member)

State Bar of Texas, Member

Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow

"Sara is very good at keeping larger business outcomes in mind."


Chambers USA 2024

"Sara is intelligent and customer-focused, responsive and competent."


Chambers USA 2024

"Sara is an exceptional attorney who provided outstanding legal analysis."


Chambers USA 2024

Ranked Band 3 for Healthcare in Texas


Chambers USA 2024

Women in the Law


Best Lawyers, 2022

Top Rated Houston, TX Health Care Attorney


Super Lawyers, 2023-2024

Top Women Attorneys in Texas


2024

Best Lawyers in America


Best Lawyers - Texas, 2021 - 2023

Top Ranked Lawyer, Healthcare


Chambers USA, Texas, 2021-2023

“Sara Brinkmann comes recommended for her expert handling of qui tam actions brought under the False Claims Act.”


Chambers USA 2022

“Sara offers notable experience in litigation and administrative proceedings.”


Chambers USA 2022

“Sara Brinkmann possesses significant experience and knowledge on complex issues.”


Chambers USA 2022

Sara is “organized and approachable, and offers thoughtful approaches on ways to achieve the desired result.”


Chambers USA 2022

“She is a really sharp lawyer.”


Chambers USA 2022

Close

Recognition

"Sara is very good at keeping larger business outcomes in mind."


Chambers USA 2024

"Sara is intelligent and customer-focused, responsive and competent."


Chambers USA 2024

"Sara is an exceptional attorney who provided outstanding legal analysis."


Chambers USA 2024

Ranked Band 3 for Healthcare in Texas


Chambers USA 2024

Women in the Law


Best Lawyers, 2022

Top Rated Houston, TX Health Care Attorney


Super Lawyers, 2023-2024

Top Women Attorneys in Texas


2024

Best Lawyers in America


Best Lawyers - Texas, 2021 - 2023

Top Ranked Lawyer, Healthcare


Chambers USA, Texas, 2021-2023

“Sara Brinkmann comes recommended for her expert handling of qui tam actions brought under the False Claims Act.”


Chambers USA 2022

“Sara offers notable experience in litigation and administrative proceedings.”


Chambers USA 2022

“Sara Brinkmann possesses significant experience and knowledge on complex issues.”


Chambers USA 2022

Sara is “organized and approachable, and offers thoughtful approaches on ways to achieve the desired result.”


Chambers USA 2022

“She is a really sharp lawyer.”


Chambers USA 2022