Michael R Hess

Michael Hess leads the firm’s Specialty Pharmacy & Pharmaceuticals Practice Group. His ability to balance legal issues with business issues has earned him a reputation as a go-to lawyer for pharmacies, distributors, GPOs and other pharma service companies.

Mike’s ability to provide practical and impactful advice to specialty pharmacies is rooted in his first-hand experience as former Chief Counsel & VP of Strategic Development of Accredo Health Group, former Assistant General Counsel of Medco Health Solutions and as a private practice attorney to the industry. Utilizing this extensive experience, he now serves as the outside general counsel for many of the nation’s largest independent specialty, infusion, mail order and mental health pharmacies, and pharmacy benefit management and pharma service companies.

In addition, Mike has participated in many of the specialty pharmacy transactions coming to market in recent years. His strategic business advice and transactional and regulatory guidance help private equity investors, alongside manufacturers and pharmacies, navigate the complexities of the drug distribution market, enabling the efficient, compliant movement of high-cost therapies from the manufacturer’s warehouse to the patient’s door.

His practice involves a range of legal counseling for leaders in the pharmacy industry, including:

-Transactional Support

-Operational Support

Drug Distribution

340B Pharmacy Contracts

Mike also serves as a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and is widely regarded a trusted leader among his peers.

Joined Bass, Berry & Sims in 2014.

Prior to joining the firm, Mike served as the Chief Counsel & VP of Strategic Development of Accredo Health Group and the Former Assistant GC of Medco Health Solutions.

President of the Chickasaw Council – Scouting America

American Health Law Association (AHLA): RAP Practice Group, Vice Chair (2004-2007)

Institute for Health Law & Policy (iHeLP), University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law: Advisory Board

Memphis Leadership Academy — Board of Trustees

JD, University of Mississippi School of Law (1996)

MA, Mississippi State University (1993)

BA, Mississippi College (1992)