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Greenberg Traurig, LLPShare Holder
Sonya C. Penley
Pro

Sonya C. Penley

4.5
7 reviews

101 East College Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32301

Health Care & FDA Practice, Government Law & Policy and Regulatory & Compliance

About Sonya C. Penley

Sonya Penley represents clients in the health care sector with respect to corporate, regulatory, administrative and governmental issues. Her diverse clients include long-term care providers, physician group practices, assisted living facilities, hospitals, hospices, home health agencies, DME suppliers, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturers and wholesalers and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). She has particular experience with health facility acquisitions, mergers and other changes in ownership, including related licensure and Medicare/Medicaid certification matters, long-term care/skilled nursing facility management and operating agreements, health care joint ventures and certificate of need issues. She also represents private equity firms and REITs in health care facility acquisitions and sales.

Concentrations

•Health law
•Administrative
•Governmental

Recognition & Leadership

Awards & Accolades

•Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Health Care Law; Administrative / Regulatory Law, 2016-2026
•Named, 'Lawyer of the Year,' Health Care Law, Tallahassee, 2020
•Listed, Florida Trend magazine 'Legal Elite,' 2007 and 2016
•Team Member, a U.S. News - Best Lawyers 'Government Relations Law Firm of the Year,' 2014
•Ranked, Tier 1 - Government Relations, Tallahassee Metropolitan Area

 

Sonya C. Penley (Tallahassee, Florida) View website

Awards

Silver Client Champion
This award is granted to attorneys who have received at least 3 client reviews, and have an average review score of 4.0 or higher.
Champion Badge Silver
Distinguished Peer Rated
This award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 3.0 to 4.4.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer BV

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Sonya C. Penley got this award in 2021

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Sonya C. Penley got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Reviews for Sonya C. Penley

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Overall Rating
4.5
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4.8
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4
4.4
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3
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Communication
5.0
Quality of Service
5.0
Responsiveness
4.8
Value for Money
4.5
Government
Posted by Sam
June 11, 2021
Hired Attorney Sonya C. Penley

Sonya has guided our firm through some extremely complicated and impactful matters with the knowledge and professionalism that one expects from a firm the caliber of Greenberg Trauig. When I have legal question or just want a gut check on anything we are doing in our ALF facilities, she is always my first call. I always get the sound advice I am looking for. When she is engaged in a project, you can consider it done. She comes with my highest recommendation.

 
Government
Posted by Timothy
June 11, 2021
Hired Attorney Sonya C. Penley

I began working with Sonya in 2008, she is our credentialing expert for our healthcare holdings. I have enjoyed our professional relationship as an owner and business professional, she sets the bar high and has consistently proven herself to be a leader in understanding and navigating both the Federal and State requirements for licensure. Sonya also handles our CON aplications and M&A activity. I would not like to recoomend her to any of our direct competitors.

 
Government
Posted by anonymous
June 11, 2021
Hired Attorney Sonya C. Penley

Sonya has been extremely helpful in our dealings with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. She is very knowledgeable regarding the regulations and fosters a professional working relationship with the staff and agency employees handling all of the issues before the agency. She is very responsive and is able to guide our business personnel through the intricacies of the approval and review processes very efficiently.

 
Government
Posted by Lisa
July 06, 2021
Consulted Attorney Sonya C. Penley

Sonya is the expert in home care legislative issues in the State of FL. She has her ear to the ground and understands the systems and helps me navigate. She’s a great listener, and she acts to get the job done right the first time. Her extensive knowledge, hard work, intellectual prowess and steady hand make her the true great lawyer that she is.

 
From the Martindale-Avvo Legal Network

Services

Areas of Law

  • Other 3
    • Health Care & FDA Practice
    • Government Law & Policy
    • Regulatory & Compliance

Practice Details

  • Firm Information
    Position
    Shareholder
    Firm Name
    Greenberg Traurig, LLP
  • Representative Cases & Transactions
    Cases
    Experience: Health Law: Represented large multi-state long-term care providers in acquisition change of ownership (CHOW), including Medicare
    Medicaid enrollment, CMS 855A registration, licensure
    certification survey issues, CMS regional office approvals
    Medicare tie-in notices, Medicare intermediary matters, State Medicaid enrollment
    certification, licensure issues, due diligence
    risk assessment.
    Represented numerous hospitals in start-up
    change of ownership (CHOW), including certificate of need (CON) requirements, CON applications,
    CON appeals, approvals, timing for accreditation through JCAHO, assistance with AHCA construction plan review
    permit process
    initial certification surveys.
    Participated in home health, health care clinic, group practice,
    pharmacy buy-outs
    restructuring transactions, including compliance with state
    federal anti-kickback laws
    requirements, disclosure requirements
    related regulatory impact of reorganization.
    Represented long-term care
    nursing home clients with respect to operational
    compliance issues, including assistance with development of compliance programs
    materials consistent with applicable CMS requirements, OIG guidance
    anti-kickback/fraud regulations.
    Negotiated
    drafted health care contracts
    operational agreements, including management agreements
    operations transfer agreements.
    H
    led IDTF enrollment
    requirements, initial certification of IDTFs
    CMS 855B applications for IDTF billing.
    H
    led licensure
    certification issues related to nursing home facilities in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, coordination of nursing home facility closures
    transition to closing, disposition of nursing home beds from nursing homes/SNFs subject to closure action, including de-licensure
    de-certification from participation in Medicare
    Medicaid
    related Medicaid overpayment issues.
    H
    led Medicare provider-based determinations
    issues
    related licensure
    compliance issues under State
    federal law for hospital outpatient departments
    services, including rehabilitation agencies, oncology departments, surgical services
    outpatient freest
    ing surgical centers.
    Related Experience: Legislative Assistant, Florida State Senator Kenneth C. Jenne
    Intern, Florida House of Representatives, Health Care Committee
    Law Clerk, Agency for Health Care Administration
  • Additional Links
    http://www.gtlaw.com/People/Sonya-C-Penley

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1995, Florida
    Memberships

    Professional & Community Involvement

    •Board Member, Seminole Torchbearers, 2007-Present
    •Chair, Seminole Torchbearers, 2009-2011
    •Volunteer, The Shelter, Tallahassee, 2004-Present
    •Volunteer, Breast Cancer 3-Day, Komen for the Cure, Atlanta, 2007
    •Board Member, Leon High School Foundation, 2016-Present
    •Mentor, Tallahassee Women Lawyers
    •Member, American Bar Association, Health Law Section
    •Member, American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA)
    •Member, The Florida Bar, Health Law Section
    •Member, Florida Health Care Association
    •Member, Tallahassee Women Lawyers Association

  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    Florida State University College of Law
    Class of 1994
    J.D.
    Other Education
    Loyola University New Orleans
    Class of 1990
    B.A.
    Government and Political Science
  • Personal Details & History
    Age
    Born in 1968
    1968

Activity

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Attorneys FAQs

  • What year was this attorney first admitted to the bar?
    Sonya C. Penley was admitted in 1995 to the State of Florida.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, Sonya C. Penley has a 4.4 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • How many attorneys are in this law firm?
    Greenberg Traurig, LLP has 2750 attorneys at this location.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    Sonya C. Penley attended Florida State University College of Law.
  • What year was this attorney's law firm established?
    Greenberg Traurig, LLP was established in 1967.

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