Legal Counsel for Physicians, Dentists, and Healthcare Entrepreneurs Starting and Growing Healthcare Businesses Throughout Florida

Starting a medical practice is one of the most significant business decisions a healthcare professional will make. Whether you are opening your first practice after residency, leaving a hospital system, expanding into a multi-provider group, purchasing an existing practice, or forming a specialty healthcare business, choosing the proper legal structure is critical to your long-term success.

At St. Johns Law Group, we help physicians, dentists, specialists, healthcare entrepreneurs, and investors establish healthcare businesses that are designed for growth, operational efficiency, and long-term success. Our multidisciplinary attorneys advise clients on business entity selection, ownership structures, governance documents, healthcare contracts, commercial real estate, employment agreements, asset protection, tax planning, and ongoing outside general counsel services.

14 Attorneys and 300+ Years of Combined Experience

Douglas N. Burnett is a former Attorney for a National Medical Provider with Multiple Practices and over 200 Locations

Our objective is not simply to file organizational documents—we help build the legal foundation for a successful healthcare business.

Starting a Healthcare Practice

Every healthcare business has unique operational, financial, and ownership goals.

Before opening your doors, important legal questions should be addressed, including:

• Which business entity is appropriate?

• Will there be multiple owners?

• How will profits be distributed?

• Who will manage the practice?

• How will future partners be admitted?

• What happens if an owner retires, becomes disabled, or leaves the practice?

• Will the practice lease or purchase real estate?

• Should administrative services be outsourced?

• What contracts are needed before operations begin?

Addressing these issues early helps reduce uncertainty and creates a stronger foundation for future growth.

Professional Associations (P.A.)

Many physician and dental practices operate as Professional Associations (P.A.).

A Professional Association may provide an effective business structure for licensed healthcare professionals while allowing owners to establish governance procedures, ownership rights, and operational responsibilities.

Our attorneys assist with:

• Formation documents

• Corporate governance

• Shareholder agreements

• Annual corporate maintenance

• Ownership restructuring

• Business succession planning

Professional Limited Liability Companies (PLLCs)

Depending upon the circumstances and applicable law, healthcare providers may choose to organize as a Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC).

PLLCs often provide operational flexibility while allowing owners to establish customized governance and management structures.

We advise clients regarding:

• Formation

• Operating agreements

• Ownership transfers

• Member rights

• Governance

• Buyout provisions

Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)

Some healthcare-related businesses, including management companies and ancillary service providers, may be organized as Limited Liability Companies (LLCs).

We assist with:

• Entity formation

• Articles of Organization

• Operating agreements

• Ownership interests

• Member management

• Capital contributions

• Business governance

• Ownership transfers

Selecting the appropriate entity requires careful legal and tax analysis based upon the goals of the business.

Shareholder Agreements

For practices with multiple owners, a carefully drafted shareholder agreement is one of the most valuable legal documents a practice can have.

Shareholder agreements commonly address:

• Ownership percentages

• Voting rights

• Management authority

• Profit distributions

• Capital contributions

• Physician departures

• Disability

• Retirement

• Death of an owner

• Admission of new shareholders

• Dispute resolution

Clear governance documents often help prevent costly ownership disputes.

Operating Agreements

Operating agreements establish the governance structure for limited liability companies and other business entities.

Well-drafted operating agreements define:

• Management authority

• Member responsibilities

• Voting procedures

• Profit distributions

• Ownership transfers

• Buyout procedures

• Business succession

• Dissolution procedures

Every healthcare business should have governance documents tailored to its specific ownership structure.

Buy-Sell Agreements

Every healthcare practice should have a plan for ownership transitions before unexpected events occur.

Buy-sell agreements establish procedures for:

• Retirement

• Disability

• Death

• Voluntary withdrawal

• Physician departures

• Practice valuation

• Buyout procedures

• Payment terms

• Ownership transfers

Having these provisions in place before disputes arise protects both the practice and its owners.

Management Services Organizations (MSOs)

Many modern healthcare organizations separate clinical operations from business management through a Management Services Organization (MSO).

An MSO may provide services such as:

• Human resources

• Billing and collections

• Revenue cycle management

• Information technology

• Marketing

• Accounting

• Vendor management

• Facilities management

• Administrative support

MSO structures are frequently utilized by physician groups, dental organizations, medical spas, ambulatory surgery centers, and multi-location healthcare businesses.

Our attorneys help clients establish management companies and structure ownership and operational relationships that support long-term business objectives.

Management Services Agreements (MSAs)

A Management Services Agreement (MSA) defines the legal relationship between a healthcare practice and its Management Services Organization.

A properly drafted MSA should address:

• Administrative services

• Management responsibilities

• Compensation

• Management fees

• Performance standards

• Confidentiality

• Intellectual property

• Term and renewal

• Termination rights

• Compliance obligations

• Dispute resolution

Because MSAs often govern the day-to-day business operations of a healthcare practice, careful drafting is essential.

Professional Services Agreements (PSAs)

Professional Services Agreements establish the terms under which physicians and other licensed healthcare professionals provide clinical services.

PSAs frequently address:

• Scope of services

• Compensation methodology

• Scheduling

• Productivity expectations

• Quality standards

• Medical director responsibilities

• Professional liability

• Independent contractor relationships

• Compliance obligations

• Termination procedures

MSAs and PSAs should be coordinated with employment agreements, shareholder agreements, and governance documents to create a cohesive legal framework.

Business Contracts for Healthcare Practices

Successful healthcare businesses rely on well-drafted contracts.

Our attorneys prepare and negotiate:

• Physician Employment Agreements

• Associate Dentist Agreements

• Independent Contractor Agreements

• Medical Director Agreements

• Vendor Agreements

• Equipment Leases

• Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Agreements

• Billing Agreements

• Commercial Leases

• Confidentiality Agreements

• Noncompetition Agreements

• Restrictive Covenants

Building for Future Growth

A successful medical practice should be structured with future expansion in mind.

We regularly advise clients regarding:

• Adding physicians and providers

• Multi-location practices

• Medical office leasing

• Commercial real estate acquisitions

• Healthcare financing

• Practice acquisitions

• Practice sales

• Partnership restructuring

• Outside General Counsel services

• Business succession planning

Our goal is to create legal structures that can grow alongside your business.

Why Healthcare Providers Choose St. Johns Law Group

Healthcare businesses require more than entity formation.

Our multidisciplinary attorneys provide comprehensive legal counsel involving:

• Healthcare Business Law

• Medical Practice Formation

• Medical Office Leasing

• Medical Practice Acquisitions and Sales

• Physician Employment Agreements

• Restrictive Covenants – Noncompetes

• Management Services Agreements (MSAs)

• Professional Services Agreements (PSAs)

• Commercial Real Estate

• Outside General Counsel Services

• Asset Protection

• Succession Planning

• Tax Planning

• Commercial Litigation

By coordinating legal services across multiple practice areas, we help healthcare providers build strong businesses while reducing future legal risk.

Healthcare Businesses We Serve

We represent:

• Physicians

• Medical Groups

• Dentists

• Endodontists

• Orthodontists

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

• Optometrists

• Ophthalmologists

• Chiropractors

• Physical Therapists

• Occupational Therapists

• Behavioral Health Practices

• Psychiatrists

• Psychologists

• Nurse Practitioners

• Physician Assistants

• Home Health Agencies

• Urgent Care Centers

• Medical Spas

• Ambulatory Surgery Centers

• Imaging Centers

• Dialysis Centers

• Veterinary Practices

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best entity for a medical practice?

The appropriate entity depends on factors such as ownership, licensing requirements, tax considerations, liability concerns, and long-term business goals. An attorney and tax advisor should evaluate your specific circumstances before formation.

Why do I need a shareholder or operating agreement?

These agreements establish ownership rights, governance procedures, voting authority, buyout provisions, and dispute resolution mechanisms. They are among the most important legal documents for any multi-owner healthcare practice.

What is an MSO?

A Management Services Organization (MSO) provides administrative and business management services to healthcare practices. MSOs are commonly used by physician groups, dental organizations, medical spas, and multi-location healthcare businesses.

Why are MSAs and PSAs important?

Management Services Agreements (MSAs) and Professional Services Agreements (PSAs) establish the legal framework between healthcare providers and management organizations, helping define operational responsibilities, compensation, governance, and business relationships.

Build Your Practice on a Strong Legal Foundation

Starting a healthcare practice involves far more than filing organizational paperwork. The decisions made during formation can affect ownership, profitability, taxation, growth opportunities, succession planning, and long-term business success.

Whether you are launching a new medical practice, restructuring an existing healthcare business, adding partners, or developing a multi-location organization, the attorneys at St. Johns Law Group are ready to help.

Contact St. Johns Law Group today to schedule a consultation and build your healthcare practice on a solid legal foundation.

 Call us today at (904) 495-0400 or email Douglas N. Burnett directly.

At St. Johns Law Group, we are committed to delivering the Dedicated & Responsive Service® you can count on.