Legal Elite 2023: Health Law Q&A

Title: Principal

Other legal specialties: Cybersecurity and data privacy, corporate law

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Davidson College; law degree, William & Mary Law School

Family: Married to Chad Heddleston, recreation coordinator at Virginia Western Community College. We have two wonderful daughters, Sophie, 4, and Flora, 2.

Career mentors: I am thankful for the wisdom and encouragement of my father and fellow lawyer, Kevin Barry, and the brilliant women attorneys in my life who have helped me navigate the demands of a law career and raising a family.

Hobbies: Spending time outside with my family, running, hiking and rock climbing

First legal job: After my first year of law school, I interned at the Office of Chief Staff Attorney for the Supreme Court of Virginia and got a behind-the-scenes look at Virginia’s highest court.

Bingeworthy TV show: “Abbott Elementary” — funny and heart-warming!

What do you love most about health care law? I love working with clients who are dedicated to their patients, day in and day out, despite the many challenges facing the health care industry. Health care is constantly changing due to innovations in technology and medical advances. As a health law attorney, I have to be a lifelong learner to keep up with the changing legal landscape.

What are the most recent challenges you’re seeing in health care law? Cybersecurity continues to be a major challenge for health care organizations, which continue to be a primary target for hackers. A successful cyberattack will not only compromise sensitive patient data, it can shut down health care operations and threaten patient safety. Health care organizations have a legal responsibility under HIPAA and other laws to implement safeguards to guard against these attacks, and compliance remains a challenge as cyberattacks become more sophisticated.

Check out the rest of the 2023 Legal Elite.