Beyond the Balance Sheet: Financial and Operational Strategies for Health Systems Under Pressure

Ira J. Schacter is a seasoned strategic advisor and head of the firm’s financial services practice, reinforcing our position as a trusted advisor at the nexus of private equity, hedge funds, insurance, and financial services, and scaling our offerings in the evolving market dynamics between traditional banks and private credit. With decades of experience advising on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), complex finance, and restructurings across financial institutions, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and technology, Ira brings a sharp focus on M&A, litigation, crisis response, and complex structured finance transactions.

By combining his extensive experience with McDermott Will & Schulte’s comprehensive capabilities across private equity, funds, and insurance, Ira delivers tailored counsel that addresses the unique needs of his clients, positioning them for success in an ever-evolving financial landscape.

Nicholas F. Alarif focuses his practice on healthcare regulatory and fraud and abuse matters, including the physician self-referral law (Stark Law), False Claims Act (FCA), the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute and other healthcare compliance matters. He also advises clients on the complex legal and factual issues surrounding Medicare Parts A–D reimbursement and other Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) payment policies. With his combination of in-house, federal government and Big Law experience, Nick provides well-rounded and actionable counsel to healthcare clients, with business objectives and compliance at the forefront.

Prior to rejoining McDermott, Nicholas served as systems director and senior corporate counsel for one of the country’s largest non-profit health systems. He also worked within CMS where he focused on Stark Law matters, including regulatory policy, the Stark Law Self-Referral Disclosure Protocol, advisory opinions and providing technical assistance to the US Department of Justice on FCA investigations and litigation. Before CMS, Nicholas worked at the US Department of Health & Human Services Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals. Nicholas also currently serves as an adjunct professor of Healthcare Fraud & Abuse at the American University Washington College of Law.

Ken Marlow is known as a go-to transactional advisor in the healthcare industry. During his three-decade career, he has worked with hospitals, health systems and other healthcare providers, and healthcare investors to structure and execute their most complex transactions.

Ken has led some of the most significant and transformative transactions in the United States, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures among hospitals, physician groups, and other providers. He has assisted clients with hundreds of transactions in both healthcare services and life sciences, including ambulatory, digital health and AI, behavioral health, physician practice management, home health and hospice, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, laboratory services, payor combinations, long-term care, and rehabilitation.

In addition to his hospital and health systems practice, Ken regularly represents private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in a wide variety of transactional matters. He also works with clients across the healthcare community with respect to board guidance and other corporate governance needs. With a nationwide practice and deep roots in Nashville, the epicenter of the US healthcare industry, Ken is uniquely positioned to connect clients with the right partners to achieve their strategic business objectives.

Ken frequently speaks at national conferences, and he is regularly quoted in publications such as Modern Healthcare, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Prior to joining McDermott Will & Schulte, Ken was the chair of the global healthcare industry team and the leader of the healthcare and FDA practice of a large international law firm.