McGuireWoods continues to grow its national healthcare and life sciences capabilities with the arrival of partner Brian D. Bewley, an accomplished regulatory and transactional attorney whose career includes stints in the federal government as senior counsel at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and as an attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice Attorney General’s Honors Program. Bewley joins the firm’s Washington, D.C., office.
With more than two decades of experience, Bewley advises healthcare and life sciences companies, private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on regulatory compliance, government investigations and transactions. His clients include Fortune 100 corporations, global pharmaceutical and orthopedics companies, hospitals and health systems, medical equipment suppliers, digital health and digital therapeutics companies, long-term care providers, and specialty pharmacies. He comes to McGuireWoods from Reed Smith.
Bewley counsels private equity sponsors through the full life cycle of their healthcare and life sciences investments — from initial platform formation and regulatory due diligence through add-on acquisitions, operational compliance and exit. He is known for his collaborative approach with private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies by providing pragmatic advice and effective risk mitigation strategies to drive sustained growth and value.
Bewley also has significant experience defending healthcare and life sciences organizations in False Claims Act, Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law matters and government investigations, drawing on his government service background. His track record includes securing multiple declinations and other favorable resolutions for clients.
Bewley joined HHS in 2005 and later served as senior counsel and team leader for the Office of Counsel to the Inspector General, leading enforcement activities in the Boston, Miami, Dallas and San Francisco regions. He also was appointed as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney during his time at HHS-OIG. Prior to that, he was selected for the prestigious DOJ Attorney General’s Honors Program.
Bewley is a frequent speaker on healthcare enforcement trends and private equity investment risk, and his commentary has appeared in Politico, Bloomberg Law and PE Hub. He has been recognized on the Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyers list, an honor based on feedback from in-house counsel.
“Healthcare organizations and private equity investors face an increasingly complex regulatory environment, and Brian has the skill set to help them navigate it,” said Gerald V. Thomas II, deputy managing partner of McGuireWoods’ corporate practice.
Holly Buckley, chair of McGuireWoods’ Healthcare Department, said, “Brian brings an exceptional combination of government enforcement insight and business acumen that will immediately benefit our healthcare and life sciences clients. He understands how regulators think, which translates directly into smarter deal structuring and effective risk management.”
Bart Walker, co-leader of the firm’s Healthcare & Life Sciences Industry Team, added, “The insight Brian has gained in public service and private practice gives him a 360-degree perspective that will resonate with clients across our platform.”
McGuireWoods has earned numerous honors, including a nationwide ranking in Chambers USA, for representing healthcare and life sciences clients in major corporate transactions, as well as regulatory and compliance matters. The firm is a leader in private equity deals involving physician practices, hospitals, outpatient and urgent care providers, laboratories, pharmacies, medical device manufacturers and distributors, and other healthcare services.
Bewley’s arrival continues the expansion of McGuireWoods’ formidable healthcare and life sciences capabilities. Chicago partner Gregory Fosheim, a former public health microbiologist who focuses on transactional and operational matters, came to the firm in March 2026. Amy Cassalia, who advises corporate and private equity clients on M&A deals in the healthcare and life sciences sectors, joined McGuireWoods in Raleigh, North Carolina, in November 2025.
“McGuireWoods has a deep bench of outstanding attorneys who understand the operational and transformative realities healthcare and life sciences clients face, not just the legal technicalities,” Bewley said. “That practical perspective is exactly what clients need when working through a transaction or facing government scrutiny. I am excited to join this strong and growing team.”