Healthcare Attorney

Healthcare Attorney | Charlotte-Based Boutique Firm

Charlotte, NC (NoDa) | Full-Time | In-Person

About Gardner Skelton

At Gardner Skelton, we’re not your typical law firm—and we’re proud of that. Based in the vibrant and eclectic NoDa neighborhood of Charlotte, we’re a Chambers-ranked, boutique firm that blends elite legal counsel with genuine approachability. From Fortune 500 giants to local startups, healthcare innovators to impactful nonprofits, our clients trust us because we’re smart, thoughtful, and relentlessly practical.

We handle healthcare law, employment law, business litigation, construction law, corporate guidance, tax law, appellate law, and mediation. But more than just lawyers, we’re partners who deeply care about our clients, our community, and each other. The way we work—and the way we treat people—is grounded in our five Core Values: Practice Excellence, Relationships Before Transactions, Creatively Practical, Own It, and Rise Together.

Our office buzzes with collaboration (and occasional barking—because yes, we're proudly dog-friendly), and we’ve worked hard to build an environment that is intentionally unique from just about any law firm you’ve ever seen.

For more information, please visit: https://www.gardnerskelton.com

About the Role

We’re seeking an exceptional Attorney with a strong interest and at least 7+ years of experience in regulatory healthcare and/or healthcare-adjacent business law to join our growing team. Early career associates—we love the hustle, but this probably isn’t the role for you.

This role is especially well-suited for an attorney who has already committed—or is ready to commit—to building a meaningful career in healthcare law. You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with Heather Skelton, an accomplished healthcare attorney who has devoted her career to advocating for independent medical practices, physicians, and others in the healthcare industry. Heather’s background includes in-house experience with a managed care organization, years spent building her own healthcare practice, and deep experience helping providers navigate the day-to-day realities of complex regulations, payor disputes, compliance obligations, contracts, operations, and business challenges.

From day one, you’ll work directly with senior attorneys and clients on matters that impact real healthcare businesses, including compliance, contracts, transactions, reimbursement and payor issues, physician employment arrangements, practice operations, and business counseling. You’ll also have opportunities to support clients in other industries, but healthcare will be a central part of the role and a significant opportunity for growth.

You won’t be stuck behind the scenes. You’ll be trusted with meaningful work, supported by a collaborative team, and given room to continue developing your judgment, expertise, and client relationships. This is a strong landing place for an experienced attorney who wants to deepen their healthcare law practice in a setting that values excellent legal work, practical problem-solving, mentorship, and genuine work-life balance.

What You'll Do

• Draft, review, and revise a wide range of contracts, policies, leases, and corporate governance documents.

• Conduct legal research and analysis to support corporate transactions, compliance matters, and litigation strategy.

• Assist with fact development by gathering documents, interviewing stakeholders, and analyzing case files.

• Participate in client meetings, internal strategy sessions, and attorney workgroups.

• Support corporate transactions, including entity formation, business structuring, sales/acquisitions/reorganizations, and regulatory compliance.

• Manage case and matter deadlines, maintaining organized calendars and ensuring timely execution.

• Draft correspondence to clients, regulators, and opposing counsel with clarity and professionalism.

• Build trusted relationships with clients by providing responsive communication and delivering high-quality work.

What You Bring

• A minimum of seven years of experience in healthcare regulatory and transactional matters, including HIPAA, CMS, Stark, and the Anti-Kickback Statute.

• Substantive background in advising businesses and stakeholders.

• Strong legal writing and communication skills.

• Proven contract drafting and review experience.

• A proactive, collaborative mindset and a willingness to learn.

• Comfort working closely with partners, clients, and legal staff.

• Exceptional organization, attention to detail, and follow-through.

• Sound judgment and professionalism in a client-facing role.

• Commitment to providing high-quality legal work in a fast-paced, team-based environment.

• A strong sense of accountability—for your work, your communication, and your impact—both within the firm and in service to our clients.

• Absolute discretion in handling confidential matters.

• Licensed in North Carolina, or able to quickly obtain North Carolina licensure through UBE transfer. Virginia or South Carolina licensure is a strong plus.

Why You'll Love Working at Gardner Skelton

• Culture & Community: We’ve cultivated a genuinely supportive environment where everyone’s ideas matter. You’ll work alongside passionate colleagues who truly enjoy their work—and each other.


• Award-Winning Workspace in NoDa: Our office—located in Charlotte’s dynamic NoDa neighborhood—was recognized nationally by the American Society of Interior Designers for best large firm workplace encouraging employee wellness. Learn more here: https://www.littleonline.com/work/project/gardner-skelton/


• Dog-Friendly Office: Bring your furry best friend to work—we believe pets make the workday better.


• Competitive Compensation & Benefits: We offer attractive salaries ($180,000+ for this role, commensurate with experience) and a competitive benefits package.


• Professional Growth & Development: Continuous learning is encouraged, with opportunities to sharpen your skills and expand your expertise.


• Impact & Recognition: Your contributions won’t go unnoticed here. We’re committed to celebrating successes—and supporting each other through challenges.


• Foodie-Friendly: We believe good food makes for happier people. Unlimited snacks, regular firm-catered meals, a super fancy coffee machine, and a location close to dozens of amazing restaurants are just some of the perks foodies will love about working here.


• Supportive Leadership: You’ll receive strong mentorship and guidance from partners who are deeply invested in your growth and success.


• No Book of Business Required: We don’t expect you to bring or build your own book of business—we want you to focus on learning, contributing, and thriving.

Ready to join a team that’s redefining what it means to practice law? We can’t wait to hear from you.

How to Apply

Email your resume and a short cover letter to careers@gardnerskelton.com. Your privacy is important to us; we’ll maintain complete confidentiality and never contact references without your explicit permission.

NOTE: This is an in-person role and we are looking to fill it quickly, but please don't hesitate to apply even if you're not currently located in the Charlotte area. We're happy to work with you on a transition plan to bridge the gap as long as you're willing to relocate here within a reasonable timeline.