Ronald W. Chapman Sr., MPA, LL.M.

Founding Shareholder

President & CEO

Complex Healthcare Fraud, Qui Tam, Uninsured Physicians

About Me

Ronald Chapman Sr. has 36 years of experience practicing law and has been representing health professionals for 34 years in Florida and Michigan. He is the founder of Chapman Law Group, a Troy, Michigan-based law firm dedicated to health law and the representation of health professionals, health care providers and facilities, correctional health care providers and professional liability insurers.

His primary practice focuses on the defense of health care professionals and organizations, including county sheriffs and private correction contractors. His areas of practice include health care correctional law, professional licensing, medical malpractice defense, health care fraud, false claims, peer review, credentialing, Qui Tam, administrative law, and criminal law (health care only).

In addition, Ron specializes in health care compliance strategies, which includes health care compliance program formation and advising; Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law; DEA compliance; Medicaid Claims Compliance; Medicare compliance; general medical compliance; and Medicare audits and the Medicare audit process.

Ron holds a Master of Laws degree in health care law from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. He is the past vice chair of the medical legal subcommittee with the Michigan State Bar, a committee dedicated to the advancement of legal understanding of those issues affecting health care providers.

Ron is a recognized leader in health law, medical malpractice defense and correctional health care law. He has the distinction as one of Michigan’s Super Lawyers and Florida’s Super Lawyers in health care law and among the “Leaders in the Law” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. He has been AV® Peer Review rated by his peers in the legal community since 2008. In 2010 and again in 2020, he was named a Top Lawyer of the Year by DBusiness. Ron is a member of the American Health Law Association and The American Association of Nurse Attorneys.

Ronald W. Chapman Sr. speaks with Dr. Roy Harris, an Ohio physician, about how Chapman Law Group successfully appeal Harris’ CMS preclusion list case, get him re-enrolled — and save his career.

Ron is passionate about health law and the representation of health care professionals, providers and third parties working in the health care industry. He has built a team of attorneys at Chapman Law Group that share his passion for health law. As the firm’s team leader, Ron brings together talented attorneys dedicated to helping health care professionals protect their career, practice, and professional integrity, particularly when it comes to compliance laws for health care. Ron recognizes the effort needed to become a licensed health care professional and pledges the firm’s support in protecting their investment.

A native of Dearborn, Michigan, Ron joined the U.S. Air Force after graduating from high school. He continued his education while on active duty and graduated from California State University, Sacramento (BA Cum Laude 1979), University of Southern California School of Public Administration (MPA 1980). After receiving his Honorable Discharge from the Air Force in 1980, Ron began his career as a public administrator for the City of Dearborn. He served as Assistant Director of Public Works prior to joining the staff of William Lucas, Wayne County Michigan’s first County Executive. In 1985, Ron became the Chief of Staff for Wayne County, Michigan, the third largest county in the United States.

Ron continued to pursue his love for education and graduated from Wayne State University Law School (JD 1984). In 1987, he returned to the private sector to practice law and joined the U.S. Army Reserve, Judge Advocate General Corps as a First Lieutenant. In 1992, Ron was a congressional candidate in the 12th Congressional District.

He then pursued his dream of becoming a successful trial attorney handling a variety of cases. In 1989, he tried his first federal 42 USC § 1983 lawsuit regarding alleged deliberate indifference. After three weeks of trial, the jury returned a no cause of action. Over the years, Ron has handled thousands of state and federal claims regarding healthcare professionals.

In 2016, Ron received his LL.M. (Master of Law) in health care law from Loyola University, Chicago School of Law. His master’s thesis was titled, “The Over-Criminalization of Health Care Law through the False Claims Act Implied False Certification Theory.”

As a dedicated martial arts practitioner with a fifth-degree black (Godan) in Koei-Kan Karate-Do, Ron believes strongly in mental and physical preparation. Effective litigation is about knowing your case as well as your opponent’s and accurately attacking your opponent’s strategy. The goal of litigation, he attests, is to win without trial!

Ronald W. Chapman Sr. discusses the “Yates Memo” at the FHCA conference in Orlando Florida.

Awards

Florida Super Lawyers 2023
Michigan Super Lawyers 2023
Leaders in the Law, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 2016
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated, 2008–present
Top Lawyer of the Year, Dbusiness, 2010, 2020, 2023
Lawyers of Distinction 2020 — Health Law
Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion: Gold Designation, 2020

Publications

“Physician’s Guide to DEA Administrative Inspections,” Ronald W. Chapman Sr. and Ronald W. Chapman II, Pain Medicine News, April 18, 2016.
“When Prescribing Controlled Substances Becomes Drug Trafficking,” Ronald W. Chapman Sr. and Ronald W. Chapman II, Pain Medicine News, August 2015, 48-51.
“Dive Into Success: Five Steps to Successful Living,” Ronald W. Chapman, published in 2000.

Verdict in Favor of Physician Accused of Failing to Treat Severe Pain from Inguinal Hernia

Allegations: Plaintiff alleged the physician ignored his alleged severe pain and allegations that his previous right inguinal hernia surgical repair had failed. Plaintiff alleged significant pain and suffering for 3 years.

Stark, Anti-Kickback, and False Claims Act Hypothetical Analysis

In our hypothetical a cardiologist with a large practice wishes to invest in a joint venture the hospital is starting with a local radiology group. He approaches the hospital administrator and expresses interest in investing in the joint venture and assures you he has sufficient referrals to keep the place running.

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Legal Qualifications

Admitted to Practice

Michigan, 1985
Florida, 2003
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 1987
U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 1998
Middle and Southern Districts of Florida, 2003
6^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, 1989
11^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, 2013

Legal Education

Loyola University Chicago School of Law, LL.M., 2016
Wayne State University Law School, J.D., 1984
University of Southern California, M.P.A., 1980
California State University, B.A. cum laude, 1979

Memberships

State Bar of Michigan
Florida State Bar
American Health Law Association
State Bar of Michigan Health Care Law Section — Vice Chair of the Medical Legal Subcommittee
Defense Research Institute
National Commission of Correctional Health Care
American Correction Association
The American Association of Nurse Attorneys
Trustee, Henry Ford Community College, 1983-86
Member, Board of Education, Dearborn, Michigan, 1983-86
Chief of Staff, Wayne County, Michigan, 1986-87
U.S. Congressional Candidate, 12th District, Michigan, 1992

Our company has been working with Ron Chapman's group for over 12 years. Ron and his team respond rapidly with their guidance, advisement and expertise. Their knowledge and experience are invaluable.

Mr. Chapman was referred to me by another attorney who told me he would be the best attorney for my case. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to use him. Mr. Chapman is sharp, hard working and very dedicated to me as his client. He took over the court, made things very clear and won my case! If you’re looking for an attorney that’s professional and cares for his client, Mr. Chapman is on top of his game. A very honorable person. I would highly recommend him if you’re looking for an amazing criminal attorney that will fight for you.

Mr. Chapman Sr graciously took a case involving my brother and gave a us great hope in a very desperate time. Mr. Chapman takes time making his clients feel comfortable explaining the process. He showed great compassion for the situation. I cant thank Mr. Champman and the Chapman Law Group enough for all there help.

Ron Chapman advised me on a case several years ago. It as solid advice thru the end. I liked Ron’s service record, and honest approach. We began lecturing as a team, then others contributed. I’ve referred a business friend to Ron's firm for separate matters; he's pleased. I also had a great experience with their Tampa associate, Joe Sapp. He was on top of his game. Great firm all around.

I had a complex case. Some of the billing done by my billing staff did not match billing done by a 3rd party auditor. Billing is an unusual skill. As many of you know, excellent billers often disagree about the best way to bill for the exact same services. Ron Chapman Sr handled my case. He was able to resolve my case. and his rates were reasonable. My local attorneys did not have the kind of experience necessary to deal with the large bureaucracy of the government. He took what began as a lot of scary threats by the government, and reached a simple solution.

“Third-Party Payor Audits” and “How Do Recent AHCA Changes Affect Contractors?”, Home Care Association of Florida, July, 19, 2022.
“Overview of Prompt Payment Law”, Michigan Society of Hematology and Oncology, April 29, 2022.
“Avoiding Lawsuits & Helping Patients: The Same Activity”, Presentation on Matters Concerning Correctional Healthcare Litigation, for Wellpath Safety Awareness Week, March 17, 2022.
CME Course: “Florida and Federal Legislative Updates”, Manatee County Medical Society, January 15, 2022.
“Basic Understanding of Healthcare Fraud Issues”, Southwest Florida Paralegal Association Annual Seminar, August 28, 2021.
“How a Corporate Internal Investigation Lets You Call the Tune”, Florida Health Care Association Annual Conference, July 27, 2021.
Basics of HIPAA and EMTALA, Salem State University, March 10, 2021.
Medical Ethics CME Course, Manatee County Medical Society, January 9, 2021.
“How to Prepare and Respond to State and DEA Inspections and Medicaid Audits”, Florida Pharmacy Association Annual Law and Regulatory Conference, December 5, 2020.
“Stark Law for the Physician”, AAPC Weston Florida Local Chapter, November 9, 2019.
“Protect Yourself and Your License: DEA Compliance and Opioid Abuse”, Urgent Care Association of America, October 27, 2017.
Educational Presentation: Stark Regulations, Corizon Annual Meeting, 2019.
“Consequences of Health Care Fraud”, Southwest Florida Paralegal Association. August 26, 2017.
“How to Prepare and Respond to State and DEA Inspections and Medicaid Audits”, Florida Pharmacy Association Regulatory and Law Conference. December 3, 2016.
“Retrospect Analysis of Significant Lawsuits Involving Mental Health Issues: Cause-Effect and How to Prevent Future Litigation”, NCCHC 2011 Correctional Mental Health Conference, Las Vegas, July 10-11, 2011.
“Redefining Deliberate Indifference to a Community Standard of Care”, NCCHC 2009 Correctional Mental Health Conference, Seattle, July 12-13, 2009.
“Real Life Medicine: Avoiding the Perfect Storm of Litigation”, NCCHC 2008 National Conference on Correctional Health Care, Chicago, October 18-20, 2008.
“Let’s Talk: Current Medical Malpractice Issues”, CMS Presentation, 2008
“Rough Sailing: Navigating the Rough Waters of Modern Day Practice”, ProAssurance presentation, 2007.
“Let’s Talk: Communicating the Good, the Bad and the Apology”, ProAssurance presentation, 2006.
“You Think You’ve Had a Bad Day”, ProAssurance Presentation, 2005.