As a shareholder in the Memphis office of Baker Donelson, Mr. Hess brings invaluable experience providing guidance to specialty and rare disease pharmaceutical-sector clients to Friedman Capital. His clients have included small and large manufacturers, specialty pharmacies, wholesalers and distributors, service companies and pharmacy benefit managers.

Mr. Hess has extensive experience contracting for the purchase of rare disease and specialty drugs as well as managing or supporting the acquisition of pharmaceutical and infusion service companies. He has structured arrangements between pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies and support organizations as well as managed issues associated with new product launches (including compliance with REMS requirements, structuring co-pay assistance programs and implementing patient registries).

Healthcare clients across the country that Mr. Hess has assisted include physician practices, hospitals, imaging centers, ambulatory surgery centers and healthcare real estate investment trusts with regulatory and reimbursement issues. He has supported the acquisition of hospital real estate throughout the United States, and the passage of key legislation supporting a client's business model and structuring 340B contract pharmacy arrangements.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Hess was Chief Counsel and VP of Strategic Development for Accredo Health Group, the nation's largest specialty pharmacy, and Assistant General Counsel for Accredo's corporate parent, Medco Health Solutions, the nation's largest pharmacy benefit manager.

Mr. Hess is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, and is listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers (Health Law, 2009). He is a member of the Mid-South Board of Directors for the Make-a-Wish foundation, the Board of Trustees for the Memphis Leadership Academy and is on the Advisory Board for the National Infusion Center Association.

Mr. Hess received his J.D. from the University of Mississippi School of Law, his M.A. from Mississippi State University and his B.A. from Mississippi College.