Grand Rapids

1700 East Beltline, N.E.

Suite 200

Grand Rapids, MI 49525-7044

T: 616.726.2252

F: 616.726.2299

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Mindi M. Johnson

Mindi Johnson joined Foster Swift in 2010 as part of the firm's Health Care Practice Group.  Within the health care arena, she has assisted many types of providers by giving regulatory and licensing advice; conducting fraud & abuse analyses; drafting provider contracts; addressing billing and financial issues; evaluating organizational structures; and implementing various policies and procedures. Mindi has developed a niche expertise in the fields of long term care, home health and hospice.

Mindi also assists individuals and families with estate planning strategies.  Not only does she help tailor an estate plan to the client's needs, she also provides practical insights to help accomplish the client's objectives.  She has previously done so through the use of charitable gifts, pet trusts, special needs trusts and burial instructions, among others.  Mindi has helped clients through the complicated legal proceedings after the death of a loved one by providing estate and trust administration assistance.  Mindi also specializes in probate litigation matters that include contested guardianships and conservatorships; will contests and elections of statutory allowances. 

Mindi's legal expertise also includes employment law.  She has developed numerous policies and procedures for individual employers as well as general employee handbooks.  Mindi has defended employers when employees have filed discrimination complaints, and she has conducted investigations of harassment complaints.  She has also negotiated and drafted various employment contracts including covenants not to compete, confidentiality agreements, severance agreements and independent contractor services agreements.

Highlights & Recognitions

Representative Matters

Health Care:

• Created and assisted with the implementation of the Corporate Compliance Program for a multi-facility, continuing care community
• Drafted an Electronic Health Records Policy
• Drafted Whistleblower Protection Policy
• Performed extensive contract review and due diligence in conjunction with the multi-million dollar merger of health providers

Trusts & Estates/Probate:

• Addressed estate planning concerns for families with second marriages
• Protected government benefits and inheritances of disabled beneficiaries through the creation and enforcement of Special Needs Trusts
• Successfully enforced a surviving spouse's rights to Elect against the decedent's spouse Will after an attempted disinheritance
• Litigated challenges to Wills (Will Contests) and appointments of personal representatives
• Obtained emergency relief and appointment of special fiduciaries for allegedly incapacitated individuals
• Enforced creditors rights through probate proceedings to collect on debts owed by a decedent

Employment:

• Successfully obtained the dismissal of EEOC and MDCR charges of discrimination on behalf of employers
• Assisted with internal investigations of employee complaints, including allegations of harassment
• Provides regular employment and managerial advice regarding hiring, termination and discipline of employees.
• Assisted clients in creating practices, policies and documentation designed to deter employment-related claims, including FMLA, discrimination and wrongful discharge claims.

News

• Foster Swift Expands West Michigan Presence, June 1, 2010

Speaking Engagements

• Compliance & Self Reporting, Michigan Medical Billers Association Annual Expo, May 16, 2012
• Health Reform - Impact and Compliance, Public Law Employment Seminar for the Michigan Municipal League, October 25, 2011
• Minors and Health Care, Michigan Medical Billers Association - Lansing Chapter, October 12, 2011
• Minors and Health Care, Michigan Medical Billers Association - Grand Rapids Chapter, September 15, 2011
• Hospice and Nursing Facility Contracting, Aging Services of Michigan Annual Conference, May 23, 2011
• Hitting the Jackpot when Partnering with other Providers, Michigan Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, April 18, 2011

For more, click here

Publications

• New Blue Cross Class Action Lawsuit Implicates Hospitals, Foster Swift Health Care Law Report, February 2011
• New Long Term Care Regulations Impose Requirements for Provider Contracts, Foster Swift Health Care Law Report, February 2011
• New Long Term Care Regulations will Draw the Attention of Surveyors, Foster Swift Health Care Law Report, December 2010
• Home Health and Hospice Rules Require Face-to-Face Patient Encounters, West Michigan MD News, November 2010
• Home Health and Hospice Rules Require Face-to-Face Patient Visits, Foster Swift Health Care Law Report (Also published in the Nov/Dec issue of MD News West Michigan), October 2010
• Harassment Training for Employees, Online Webinar produced with Collins & Associates, 2009

Memberships & Affiliations

Legal Affiliations:

• State Bar of Michigan
• Health Care Law Section
• Grand Rapids Bar Association

Industry & Professional Associations:

• Grand Rapids Jaycees, Executive Vice President
• Michigan Jaycees, Past Legal Counsel
• Business Network International (BNI), Advantage Chapter, Past President
• Inforum West Michigan
• Calvin College Alumni Association
• Grand Rapids Young Professionals