D. Austin Rettew*

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Austin focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation and regulatory compliance in the health care industry. His litigation practice spans both state and federal court, including arbitrations, and he is experienced in multiple phases of litigation, including discovery, motion practice, and settlement negotiations. He has represented clients in a wide variety of litigation and regulatory matters, and regularly advises health care providers on managed care and commercial payer disputes. His work in this context frequently addresses compliance with ERISA, the Affordable Care Act, the Medicare Secondary Payer Act, the Medicare Advantage program, the federal No Surprises Act and related state surprise billing laws, state insurance laws, and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.
In the government investigation context, Austin has represented providers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and other health care companies in False Claims Act investigations and litigation, including qui tam “whistleblower” lawsuits. Austin has been involved in investigations conducted by state agencies as well as the Department of Justice and various U.S. Attorney’s Offices.
In his regulatory practice, Austin represents investors, owners, operators, and developers of long-term care and senior housing communities. He has experience structuring and implementing health care transactions, and he regularly advises clients on health care regulatory, corporate, and legal due diligence. He also has experience coordinating change of ownership (CHOW) procedures for state licensure, certificate of need, and Medicare and Medicaid certifications.
*Not admitted in DC. Admitted in NY only. Practicing under the supervision of DC Bar members.
Client Work
Austin’s litigation and regulatory experience includes working on the following matters:
- Successfully arguing a motion to dismiss on behalf of a regional dialysis provider in state court.
- Assisting with the acquisition of a multistate portfolio of senior housing facilities.
- Obtaining successful determinations in multiple out-of-network reimbursement claims submitted under state and federal surprise billing laws.
Previous Work
Prior to joining ArentFox Schiff, Austin served as a judicial intern for Judge Elizabeth S. Stong of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York and Magistrate Judge Lois Bloom of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. He has also worked as an investigative analyst and paralegal at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, where he assisted in numerous complex criminal investigations.
While in law school, Austin was an articles editor of the George Washington University Law School’s Public Contract Law Journal.
Publications & Presentations
Publications
- Co-author, “Municipal VRDO Class Action Survives Banks’ Request For Dismissal,” Banking Law Journal, March 2021
- Co-author, “DOL reinforces importance of privacy for ERISA plans,” Los Angeles & San Francisco Daily Journal, September 9, 2021
Life Beyond the Law
In his spare time, Austin enjoys cooking, baking, and photography. He enjoys traveling, speaks Chinese, and has elementary knowledge of Japanese.
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Languages
Chinese
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Education
The George Washington University Law School, JD, 2019Oberlin College, BA, 2013