Overview
Steve has a national reputation as an advisor to business and professional organizations, counsels privately owned corporations and healthcare clients on contractual and regulatory issues, succession planning, and related transactional matters. He represents clients in acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and contract disputes. Steve represents physicians in connection with payor audits and disputes with licensing agencies. He also previously served as a member of the McDonald Hopkins Executive Committee.
Steve also commits substantial time educating the medical profession on business and regulatory matters. Presentations include the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the University of Chicago Hospital, the American Dental Association, and Illinois and Ohio Medical Group Management Associations.
Steve earned a J.D., with honors, from Illinois Institute of Technology's Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1981. He received a B.S., magna cum laude, from Northern Illinois University in 1978.
Honors & Recognition
AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers (2007, 2010-2018)
Named one of the Best Lawyers in America (2014-2023)
Named as an Illinois Leading Lawyer (2025)
Credentials
Education
Illinois Institute of Technology - Chicago-Kent College of Law
Northern Illinois University
Admissions – Court
- U.S. Tax Court
Admissions – State
- Illinois
Professional & Civic
Community Involvement
Prevent Child Abuse America (Board of Directors, 2019)
Village of Deerfield, Illinois (Trustee, 2007-2009)
Village of Deerfield, Illinois (Mayor, 2001-2009)
Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (Director, 2006-2009)
News & Insights
External News & Publications
American Medical News
Deadline looms on updating HIPAA privacy materials, August 2013
Hospital bylaws can trip up employed physicians, May 2013
Don't become ensnared by physician ACO exclusivity clauses, December 2012
What to consider before switching to concierge medicine, October 2012
The Rheumatologist
Is Concierge Medicine Right for your Practice, September 2018
A Guide to Understanding Physician Compensation Models, April 2018
Medicare Access & CHIP Re-authorization Act Preparation Tips, January 2018
How to Appropriately Discharge a Patient to Avoid Abandonment, Medical Malpractice, June 2017
What Rheumatologists Should Know about Purchasing a Healthcare Practice, September 2016
Preparing for Increased HIPAA Audits Among Smaller Rheumatology Providers, May 2016
Hospital Acquisitions of Physician Practices Likely to Decrease, February 2016
Pros, Cons of Provider-Based Conversions, September 2015
Beware Antitrust Laws When Considering Healthcare Mergers, March 2015
Selling a Rheumatology Practice to a Hospital or Health System, November 2014
ENT Today
What the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act Means for Healthcare Facilities, February 2019
How to Prepare and Respond to Payer Audits, August 2018
The Tax Bill's Implications for Healthcare, February 2018
Ransomware: What It Is and How to Prevent it, December 2017
How to Bill Medicare for Non-Covered Services, May 2017
How Reasonable Non-Compete Clauses Can Protect Your Practice, October 2016
Telemedicine: Practicing Medicine across State Lines, August 2016
Legal Steps That Need To Be Taken Before You Can Leave Your Medical Practice, January 2016
Address Security, Policies, Contracts when Reviewing Your Medical Practice, August 2015
Internal Due Diligence Review Critical for Physician Practices, July 2015
Omnibus Rule Compliance Deadline Imminent, September 2014
Interplay Between Physician Employment Agreements, Medical Staff Bylaws Should Not Be Ignored, October 2013
The Hospitalist
Transitioning From Your Current Medical Practice: An Abbreviated Step-by-Step Guide, April 2017
Five Situations Where Hospitalists Need a Healthcare Attorney, May 2016
Practice Expanding: The Rising Trend in Hospitalist Co-Management, February 2016
Expert Witness Primer Offers Tips for Hospitalists, October 2015
What Hospitalists Should Consider Before Becoming an Expert Witness, June 2015
Greater Transparency for Financial Information in Healthcare Will Prompt Questions from Patients, March 2015
How to Avoid Data Breaches, HIPAA Violations When Posting Patients’ Protected Health Information Online, June 2014
Additional Articles:
Tips on negotiating an employment contract for part-time practice, American Medical News, July 2012
Face to Face With...Steven M. Harris, BC Advantage Magazine, Issue 7.4: June/July 2012
Contributor, Aesthetic Medicine, Growing Your Practice, Quality Medical Publishing, Inc., 2009
Administering the Law: Eleven Alums Who Deliver, Chicago-Kent Magazine profile, Spring 2006
Co-author, Medical Practice Divorce: Successfully Managing A Medical Business Breakup, AMA Press, 2001