Richard E. Hillary II - Lawyer in Grand Rapids, MI

Richard (Dick) E. Hillary, II, is a member of Miller Johnsonand has been practicing law since 1996. He is a commercial litigator. Mr.Hillary represents a wide variety of business entities and individuals, includinghospitals, physician groups, large and small corporations, and individuals inall facets of litigation. Before joiningMiller Johnson, Mr. Hillary served as law clerk for the Honorable William B.Murphy of the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Health CareReimbursement

Mr. Hillary counsels and represents hospitals and physiciangroups in recovering payment for medical services from insurance companies,ERISA health benefit plans, and other payers. Mr. Hillary is a member of Miller Johnsons Health Care ProviderReimbursement Practice Group. Hisexpertise is in obtaining insurance reimbursement for patient accounts.

He has successfully litigated numerous cases againstinsurance companies on issues such as intentional-act exclusions, prioritydisputes, medical necessity, and the reasonableness of medical charges. In addition to recovering unpaid and overduemedical charges on behalf of his health care provider clients, Mr. Hillary hasrecovered penalties, including attorney fees and interest, many times. The penalties that he has collected haveoften exceeded the amount of the underlying claim.

ERISA Litigation

Mr. Hillary is a member of Miller Johnsons ERISA (EmployeeRetirement Income Security Act) litigation practice group. He represents and counsels businesses,employers, insurers, retirement and welfare benefits plans, third-party claimadministrators, hospitals, and others in connection with claims for benefits,breach of fiduciary duty, and other disputes arising under ERISA. Mr. Hillary regularly represents disabilityinsurance carriers, employers as plan sponsors and administrators, and claimadministrators in both routine and complex employee benefits litigation instate and federal court.

Commercial Litigation

Mr. Hillary represents individuals and corporations inprosecuting and defending a variety of commercial cases, including claims ofbreach of contract, negligence, shareholder oppression, and many others.

White Collar Crimeand Regulatory Compliance

Mr. Hillary advises physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers on the complex issues involved in complying with federal andstate criminal laws and regulations relating to the health care industry.

Appellate Practice

As a former law clerk for the Michigan Court of Appeals, Mr.Hillarys background provides a unique expertise in handling all types ofappeals, both civil and criminal. He hassuccessfully briefed and argued numerous appeals in state and federal court.

ProfessionalAffiliations, Activities and Honors

Mr. Hillary is a member of the Federal Courts for theWestern and Eastern Districts of Michigan,and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. He also is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Grand Rapids BarAssociation, and the Federal Bar Association for the Western District ofMichigan.

Mr. Hillary is active with the Grand Rapids Bar Associationwhere he is the past Chair of the Litigation Section and an elected Trustee for2009-2012. He is the past-President forthe Gerald R. Ford American Inns of Court. Mr. Hillary recently served as the Vice Chairof Miller Johnsons Litigation Section. He also serves as a Trustee for theKent County Legal Assistance Center. Mr. Hillary is listed in The Best Lawyers in America? for CommercialLitigation.

Education

Mr. Hillary received his law degree in 1996 from the University of Toledo,where he was a published member of the Universityof Toledo Law Review, and hisundergraduate degree in 1992 from the University of Michigan.