Presented oral argument before the Tennessee Supreme Court on an issue of first impression involving whether the existence of a durable power of attorney lifts the tolling of the statute of limitations for an incompetent resident.

Presented oral argument before the Tennessee Court of Appeals and won an issue of first impression for long term care providers: whether the Tennessee Adult Protection Act applies to negligent care lawsuits filed against long term care providers which should fall within the scope of the Medical Malpractice Act.

Professional Biography

Overview

Christy Tosh Crider is chair of Baker Donelson's Health Care Litigation Group and the Women's Initiative. She also founded the Firm's Long Term Care Team and served as the leader for more than a decade. Christy concentrates her practice in health care litigation, managing the litigation of numerous health care facilities around the country, as well as serving as outside general counsel.

Christy provides counsel to health care companies on quality assurance, corporate compliance, general business advice and litigation avoidance challenging survey citations, and government investigations. She represents many health care related organizations, including organ procurement organizations and tissue banks, long term care providers, onsite health centers, and one of the largest behavioral health companies in the country.

During Christy's tenure as the Women's Initiative Chair, Baker Donelson has earned numerous recognitions as an exceptional workplace for women, including being named by Working Mother magazine to its "Best Law Firms for Women" list, being certified as a Gold Standard Firm for four consecutive years by the Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF), and being ranked tenth nationally in diversity for women in the 2019 edition of Vault, Inc.'s "Best Law Firms for Diversity." The Firm was also recognized by the Chambers Women in Law Awards: USA 2018 as a finalist in the category of Outstanding Firm in Advancing Gender Diversity and Inclusion.

These national accolades are the culmination of years of Christy's leadership. She has overseen numerous key initiatives, including the adoption of an industry-leading parental leave policy; implementation of a Firm-wide mentoring program for women; creating a program that awards business development grants to women attorneys; and a training program designed to help women attorneys achieve equity shareholder status. Christy was named a 2018 recipient of the A Great Place to Work^® For All Leadership Award by FORTUNE magazine.

Representative Matters

Resolved successfully a lawsuit brought under the False Claims Act by the Department of Justice for substandard care for a long term care provider after multi-day evidentiary hearing.
Tried successfully one of the only cases presented to the United Network for Organ Sharing governing body for an Organ Procurement Organization in New Mexico, securing reversal of an adverse action.
Provided advice on post-trial and appeal issues in a long term care punitive damages case involving an eight-figure verdict.
Presented oral argument before the Tennessee Supreme Court on an issue of first impression involving whether the existence of a durable power of attorney lifts the tolling of the statute of limitations for an incompetent resident.
Presented oral argument before the Tennessee Court of Appeals and won an issue of first impression for long term care providers: whether the Tennessee Adult Protection Act applies to negligent care lawsuits filed against long term care providers which should fall within the scope of the Medical Malpractice Act.
Presented oral argument before the Tennessee Court of Appeals on an issue of first impression for long term care providers concerning the authority of a relative of a long term care resident to enter into an arbitration agreement on the resident's behalf.
Presented oral argument before the Tennessee Court of Appeals on an issue of first impression for long term care providers: whether a mandatory arbitration agreement with a 30-day revocation clause is a contract of adhesion, and whether a provision allowing the nursing home to sue in court for collection actions makes the arbitration agreement unconscionable.
Tried to a successful jury verdict the first long term care wrongful death case to go to verdict in more than a decade, for one of the largest privately owned nursing home chains in the country.
Achieved a full defense verdict in the second long term care medical malpractice case ever to go to arbitration in Tennessee.
Achieved a successful settlement during the defendant's proof in the fourth long term care medical malpractice case ever to go to arbitration in Tennessee.
Successfully negotiated with a major national television network to remove incorrect and misleading pieces of a story before it aired for a tissue bank.
Successfully compelled to arbitration and dismissed from court several long term care wrongful death cases.
Won summary judgment in an apartment fire case.
Obtained the dismissal of all counts against long term care providers, except medical malpractice, in many wrongful death cases.
Successfully defended a wrongful death Dram Shop Act case.
Drafted arbitration agreements for dozens of long term care facilities and trained the facilities on how to use them.

Professional Honors & Activities

Listed in Best Lawyers in America^® in Health Care Litigation (2018 – 2020)
Named the Best Lawyers' 2019 Nashville Health Care Litigation "Lawyer of the Year"
Listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers as a leading Litigation: Medical Malpractice Defense lawyer in Tennessee (2020)
Recipient – A Great Place to Work^® For All Leadership Award by FORTUNE magazine (2018)
Listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers in Health Care (2013 – 2019); listed as among the top 50 female attorneys in the Mid-South (2016); listed as among the top 50 attorneys in Nashville and top 100 attorneys in Tennessee (2016)
Listed in Mid-South Rising Stars (2008 – 2012)
AV^® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Finalist – Chambers USA 2015 Women in Law Awards Outstanding Achievement Award (Private Practice)
Named as one of the "2015 Women to Watch" by The Nashville Medical News
Recipient – 2013 Women of Influence Award, Nashville Business Journal
Featured on the cover of the Nashville Medical News, In Charge Magazine (January 2013)
Finalist, Law Category – 2012 Nashville Emerging Leader Awards
Named "Top 40 Professional in Tennessee Under 40," Nashville Business Journal (2011)
Named "Health Care Hero Champion," Nashville Business Journal (2011)
Named "Health Care 100" in Middle Tennessee, Nashville Business Journal (2004 – 2006)
Member – Nashville, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky and American Bar Associations
Member – American Health Law Association, Long Term Care Section
Best Oralist – Vanderbilt National First Amendment Moot Court Competition
Best Oralist – University of Arkansas Fall and Spring Moot Court Competition
Chair – University of Arkansas Trial Advocacy Team
Outstanding Graduate in Appellate Advocacy – University of Arkansas
Associate Member – Tennessee Health Care Association (2005 – present)
Chair – Baker Donelson's Women's Initiative (2014 – present)
Marketing Chair – Baker Donelson's Women's Initiative (2008 – 2014)
Chair – Nashville Charitable Contributions Committee (2007 – present)
Member – Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities (KAHCF) Vendor Committee

Publications

"At the Crossroads: Legal Considerations Where Government Investigations Overlap with Tort Risk in Long Term Care," republished May 19, 2020 in McKnight's Long-Term Care News (April 29, 2020)
"How to Stop Chasing Mirages and Pursue Joy with Intention," The Alexander Group (January 2020)
"Make Joy a Plan," Women's Initiative Newsletter (December 2019)
"Q&A with Anna Long-Humphrey, In-House Counsel for DCI Donor Services, Inc.," Women's Initiative Newsletter (December 2019)
"Baker's Dozen: Gift Giving," Women's Initiative Newsletter (December 2019)
"Arbitration Agreements in Your Long Term Care Community – CMS Says It's Mandatory to Be Optional" (August 2019)
"Advice for Women Making Decisions for Aging Parents: Q&A with Cindy Baier, President and CEO, Brookdale Senior Living," Women's Initiative Newsletter (August 2019)
"Baker's Dozen: Best Self-Care Tips," Women's Initiative Newsletter (April 2019)
"Baker's Dozen: Our Favorite Holiday Traditions," Women's Initiative Newsletter (December 2018)
"Get Ready – Long Term Care Class Actions Have Morphed And Are Even Uglier," Senior Housing Newsletter (August 2018)
"Client Interview – Jennifer Armstrong, Vice President of Customer Engagement Operations, Centerstone of America," Women's Initiative Newsletter (December 2017)
"Holiday Traditions – What Brings You Joy During the Holidays?," Women's Initiative Newsletter (December 2017)
"Baker's Dozen – 13 of the Best Places to Visit in Music City," Women's Initiative Newsletter (October 2017)
"A Year into the Elder Justice Task Force: Is Your Community a Target?" (September 2017)
"Facing Political Unrest, While Keeping Inner Peace," Women's Initiative Newsletter (June 2017)
"Facing Political Unrest, While Keeping Inner Peace," Inside Counsel (May 2017)
"5 Things Law Firms Can Do to Work Toward Gender Equality," Nashville Business Journal (October 2016)
Co-author – "The Elder Justice Task Force and DOJ Investigations: Is Your Client at Risk?," AHLA Weekly (September 2016)
"Shareholder Spotlight: Christy Tosh Crider" (August 10, 2016)
"Should Your Facility Try Telemedicine and Navigating Reimbursement for Telemedicine" (August 2016)
Co-author – "Navigating Reimbursement for Telemedicine," McKnight's (June 2016 )
Featured – "60 Seconds with...Christy Tosh Crider," McKnight's (June 2016)
Co-author – "Should your facility try telemedicine?," McKnight's (May 2016)
"Whether You Know It or Not, There Is or Will Be a Granny Cam in Your Center: What Are You Going to Do About It?" (March 2, 2016)
"Women's Health Tip: I'm SO STRESSED" (October 14, 2015)
"I'm SO STRESSED; this is going to be beautiful," Inside Counsel (October 2015)
"Home and Community-Based Services: Seven Things You Need to Know" (July 2015)
"Beware! Long Term Care Class Actions are Coming" (July 21, 2015)
"6 Reasons It's OK Not To Be Perfect At Everything," Inside Counsel (October 2014)
"Ten Tips to Lower Your LTC Litigation Costs," McKnight's (December 2013)

Speaking Engagements

Panelist – "Navigating COVID-19 for the Nursing Home Procurement Professional," Society for Healthcare Organization Purchasing Professionals (SHOPP) webinar (April 2020)
Moderator – "Presidents' Panel," 2018 Long Term Care Symposium (November 2018)
Moderator – "Improving the Bottom Line & Customer Satisfaction with Diversity in the C-Suite," 2018 Long Term Care Symposium (November 2018)
Panelist – "What Every Provider Needs to Know About Department of Justice Investigations Under the Elder Justice Task Force and Negotiating and Living with CIAs," 2018 Long Term Care Symposium (November 2018)
"Keeping Problematic Families From Negatively Impacting Care," Tennessee Health Care Association/TNCAL Convention (August 2018)
"Repositioning Your Case: Differentiating Arbitration and Mediation Techniques from Litigation Strategies," ACI's Long Term Care Litigation & Risk Management Strategies, Miami, Florida (January 2018)
"DOJ Investigations Under the Elder Justice Task Force," THCA/TNCAL Convention (August 2017)
"The Importance of Setting Realistic Expectations with Families," THCA/TNCAL Convention (August 2017)
"Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die: Best Practices for Partnering with Hospice Providers," 2016 Long Term Care Symposium (November 2016)
"Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue: What Every Provider Needs to Know About DOJ Investigations Under the Elder Justice Task Force," 2016 Long Term Care Symposium (November 2016)
"Why You Gotta Be So Mean? – Plaintiffs' Counsel Panel" (November 2016)
"Mentoring Women: Is It Different?," ABA Health Law Litigation and Woman Advocate Committees Roundtable (January 2016)
Panelist – "2015 Tennessee Health Care Association Annual Convention" (August 2015)
"Tips to Lower Your Long Term Care Litigation Costs," Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities' 2014 Quality Summit (April 2014)
Panelist – "In-House Think Tank Session I: Proactively Spotting Costly Litigation Red Flags and Managing Pre-Suit Challenges," ACI's Third Annual Forum on Preventing and Defending Long Term Care Litigation, Miami, Florida (January 2014)
"Setting Realistic Expectations and Arbitration Agreements," Elmcroft Senior Living's annual meeting (March 2013)
Moderator – "Proactively Spotting Costly Litigation Red Flags and Managing Pre-Suit Challenges," American Conference Institute's 3rd Annual Forum on Preventing and Defending Long Term Care Litigation, Miami, Florida (January 2013)
"Time Management," Tennessee Bar Association Law Practice Management CLE (October 2012)
"Stress & Time Management," Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) panel session, Vanderbilt University Law School (October 2012)
"The Ethics of Tennessee Tort Reform," Nashville Council of Health Care Attorneys (January 2012)
"Get Paid for Care: Fighting Medicare Program Audits," The Tennessee Health Care Association/Tennessee Center for Assisted Living Annual Convention and Trade Show, Nashville, Tennessee (August 2011)
"Big Survey Fines: Appeal or Pay," The Tennessee Health Care Association/Tennessee Center for Assisted Living Annual Convention and Trade Show , Nashville, Tennessee (August 2011)
"Assisted Living Resident Service Agreement, Protecting Your Facility While Providing Quality Care," Tennessee Health Care Association (May 2011)