Kenneth J. Metzger Partner k.metzger@mgfblaw.com PRACTICE AREAS: Administrative & Regulatory Health Care Litigation

BACKGROUND:
Ken was born August 14, 1954, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but, moved to Florida shortly thereafter. He earned his bachelor’s from Florida State University in 1977 and his law degree from Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in 1981. Upon graduation he was selected for the Navy’s Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG). While serving on active duty, he was appointed Staff Judge Advocate for Naval Medical Command, Southeast Region and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for naval installations including the Drug Screening Laboratory for the Atlantic fleet located in Jacksonville, Florida. In 1985 he completed active duty and began private practice in Orlando. In 1990 he joined a professional liability defense firm in West Palm Beach before returning to Tallahassee in late 1992. From 1993 to 1995 Ken had both a solo private practice and was a Senior Attorney for medical prosecution with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA). From 1996 on Ken returned to an exclusive regulatory defense practice.

Ken’s practice focuses on the representation of individuals and corporate entities throughout Florida and nationwide with state and federal administrative proceedings; Professional state licensing boards, application and disciplinary matters with Florida’s Department of Health , Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Engineers Management Corporation, and other departments and agencies; Professional and facility liability; National Practitioners Data Bank and physician reporting; Florida’s Office Surgery Rule proceedings and investigations; Provider Impairment investigations; Emergency Medical Services providers and EMTALA; Hospital law; Pharmacy law; Clinical Laboratory Practice Act; Florida’s Biomedical Waste law; Florida’s Mental Health Act and related mental health treatment facilities; Medicare and Medicaid provider applications and investigations; U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency permit and drug diversion investigations; U.S. Food and Drug law; U.S. Navy healthcare provider administrative and court martial proceedings.

EDUCATION:

• B.S., With Honors, Florida State University, 1977
• ΟΔΚ - National Leadership Honorary
• Who's Who in America Colleges and Universities
• Gold & Garnet Keys - Vice President
• Associate Justice, Student Court
• Catholic Student Union - Parish Council President
• J.D. Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law, 1981

COURT ADMISSIONS:

• All Florida Courts
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
• Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

PROFESSIONAL

• AV Peer Review Rated
• Florida Super Lawyers, 2006
• Captain, JAGC, USNR, RET. 2003
• The Florida Bar: Health Law, Administrative Law and Trial Lawyers
• Florida Academy of Healthcare Attorneys, Florida Hospital Association
• Florida Pharmacy Association
• American Bar Association: Health Law
• American Health Lawyers Association

PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

• "Medical/Dental Risk Management Procedures for Naval Health Care Facilities"
• "Demystifying Florida's Medical Complaint Process"
• "The Ultimate Deposition: A COBRA Investigation"
• "Confidentiality of Medical Records, Regulatory Compliance & Computer Age Concerns"
• "Drug Diversions: A Current Regulatory Issue"
• "Ten Commandments of Health Care Regulatory Inspections"
• "HIPAA Compliance for Florida Health Care Facilities and Physicians"
• "Confidentiality of Medical Information in Florida and Recent Impact of Federal HIPAA Regulations"
• "Laws and Rules for Florida Pharmacy"

COMMUNITY INVOLVMENT

• WFSU Public Radio (Sponsor)
• FSU Alumni Association and The Golden Chiefs
• Military Officers Association of America (Tallahassee Chapter)
• Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra (Sponsor)
• Tallahassee Youth Orchestra (Sponsor)
• St. Marks Wildlife Refuge (Member)