Sheppard Health System Senior Counsel Forum
September 16, 2026 • Chicago, IL
A candid conversation among health system legal leaders navigating today’s most consequential challenges.
Overview
We are pleased to invite you to Sheppard’s Health System Senior Counsel Forum, an exclusive, peer-driven gathering for Chief Legal Officers, General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and equivalent senior legal leaders. This in-person forum is designed to convene a select group of experienced professionals to discuss the legal, operational, and policy developments shaping today’s health systems. Through focused discussion and practical insight-sharing, attendees will exchange perspectives on the issues most critical to their organizations.
This half-day, in-person program is designed for busy senior counsel who value substance and efficiency—an opportunity to connect with peers, pressure-test strategies on emerging issues, and compare notes on the fast-moving developments redefining the landscape. We’re looking forward to your participation and are excited to welcome you to a discussion that will deliver actionable takeaways you can put to work immediately with your executive team and internal clients.
Summit Topics
Federal and state regulatory trends, including OBBBA and False Claims Act enforcement priorities
Labor and employment updates, including the practical impact of noncompete laws and immigration enforcement
Ethical and operational considerations for artificial intelligence, including governance, risk management, and use across the legal function and broader enterprise
Antitrust developments affecting transactions, affiliations, and joint ventures
Interactive roundtable discussion on common pitfalls and pain points, facilitated by attorneys and health system leaders
A candid conversation among health system legal leaders navigating today’s most consequential challenges.
Why Attend?
Takeaways
Attendees
Venue
We are excited to be hosting the Forum in our Sheppard Chicago Office.
321 N Clark St, 32nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60654
Please join us for a networking reception following the Forum at RPM Steak, across the street from our office.
Accommodations
Agenda
Additional speakers will be added. CLE accreditation is pending for 5 general credits including 1 Ethics in CA, IL, TX and VA and for 6 credits including 5 Professional Practice 1 Ethics in NY – This will change once we receive the requested materials.
Wednesday, September 16
Registration and Lunch
Federal and State Regulatory Update
Presented by:
Ethics, AI and Legal Operations for a New Era
This ethics-focused program explores the responsible use of generative AI and AI-enabled productivity tools in legal practice. Attendees will examine how AI intersects with core professional obligations, including confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, and data security. Topics include the ethical and legal implications of AI notetakers and recording tools, transparency and consent requirements, vendor diligence, retention policies, and the use of AI in contract review and negotiations. The session also addresses practical governance considerations for in-house legal departments, including healthcare organizations managing sensitive business and regulated information, and offers guidance for developing policies that support innovation while maintaining ethical and legal compliance.
Presented by:
Labor & Employment Trends
This session examines the latest developments in labor and employment law with a focus on real-world application. Attendees will explore the practical impacts of evolving healthcare-related noncompete legislation, including how recent state-level changes affect talent retention and employee mobility. The session will also address the bet-the-company employment-related litigation healthcare employers face in this litigious landscape and managing immigration enforcement in the workplace. This presentation provides actionable insights and avoidance of pitfalls to navigate today's rapidly shifting labor and employment landscape.
Presented by:
Break
Take part in a hands-on workshop focused on strengthening influence, elevating communication skills and expanding your leadership impact.
Antitrust Developments in Mergers, Acquisitions and Joint Ventures
This discussion focuses on antitrust developments affecting healthcare mergers, acquisitions, affiliations, and joint ventures, with an eye towards practical implications for health systems and hospitals. Attendees will explore current federal enforcement priorities, including recent investigations and actions involving merger and non-merger conduct, as well as increased scrutiny of cross-market transactions, roll-up strategies, and noncompete arrangements. The session will also address state enforcement trends, including new healthcare transaction notification laws and the growing role of state regulators in reviewing provider transactions. This presentation provides practical insights to help legal leaders anticipate enforcement risk, structure transactions thoughtfully, and navigate today’s evolving antitrust landscape.
Presented by:
Pitfalls, Pain Points, and Practical Takeaways
This facilitated roundtable provides for a candid discussion of common challenges facing today’s health systems and hospitals. Participants will be invited to discuss approaches, surface recurring pain points, and exchange practical solutions that have worked in the field—across compliance and risk management, workforce pressures, technology adoption, and transactional strategy. Designed to be highly interactive, the session emphasizes real-world lessons learned, peer benchmarking, and decision-ready takeaways. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas, discussion prompts for internal stakeholders, and new peer connections to continue the dialogue after the Forum.
Moderated by:
Networking and Cocktail Reception
Please join us for a networking reception following the Forum at RPM Steak, across the street from our office.
About Sheppard
Every day, Sheppard guides healthcare’s largest and most innovative companies on how to survive and thrive in today’s healthcare environment. We support all healthcare sectors with actionable intelligence informed by our unmatched experience, relationships and business knowledge.
Hospitals and Health Systems Practice
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