The primary focus of Ms. Fenelon's practice is the representation of pharmaceutical, medical device, and other healthcare companies in matters ranging from individual and mass tort cases to peer review, privacy, and fraud and abuse issues. She has represented or is currently representing corporations in pedicle screw, Fen-Phen, PPA, Baycol, and Vioxx litigations. Her experience also includes claims involving percutaneous gastrostomy catheters, various fixation devices, as well as dietary supplements - most recently, those containing ephedra.
Ms. Fenelon has represented manufacturers, suppliers, and retail sellers in claims involving a diverse array of products, including various types of aircraft, farm and lawn equipment, herbicides and pesticides, industrial cleaners, lift devices, injection molding equipment, insulation products, natural gas, electrical and electronic products, fire prevention systems, automobile components, and food products.
Ms. Fenelon has consulted and represented healthcare corporations, stand-alone hospitals, and other healthcare facilities with respect to fraud and abuse investigations, individual credentialing, privileging, and disciplinary matters, and she has consulted and represented practitioners before State professional regulatory boards. She is experienced in the retention and disclosure of protected health information, physician disputes, and in drafting and revising medical staff bylaws, fair hearing manuals, and policies and procedures.
She is also experienced in handling ERISA-related matters, and her recent experience includes successfully arguing before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in opposition to a beneficiary's claim against a pension benefits plan sponsored by a leading international tire and materials manufacturer.
A frequent presenter on products liability, personal injury and other litigation topics, Ms. Fenelon has conducted seminars and programs for the National Business Institute (NBI), Barristers Educational Services and other organizations. Topics recently addressed by Ms. Fenelon include "Best Practices in Products Liability," "Quick Tips for Personal Injury Practice: Dealing With Economists," and "Top 6 Trial Skills You Need to Know."
Clerkships and Previous Affiliations
· Associate, Manier, Herod, Hollabaugh & Smith, Nashville, Tennessee, 1995-98
Professional Memberships & Activities
· Member, DRI
· Member, American Health Lawyers Association
· Member, Nashville, Tennessee, American and Federal Bar Associations
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Chair, Young Lawyers Division, TBA and NBA, 1995-98
Civic and Other Activities
· Vice President, Board of Trustees, Camp Marymount, Inc., 2003-present
· Consumer Representative Member, Board of Dentistry for the State of Tennessee, 2002-03
Articles
11/3/2008, NJ Appellate Court: Hospitals May Be Liable for Docs' Negligence under "Apparent Authority"
10/1/2008, Frances Fenelon, "Jury Selection in Civil Cases: Preparation and Organization Are The Keys to Effective Voir Dire," Nashville Business Journal, October 2008
7/11/2007, The Healthy Employer: Physicians, Patients and Drug Reps, Oh My!
3/29/2005, Eleventh Circuit Considers False Claims Act Case with Far-Reaching Implications for Healthcare Providers