Honors & Awards
- Kentucky Super Lawyers®, Rising Star, 2025, Health Care
Admissions
U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Kentucky
U.S. District Court Western District of Kentucky
Kentucky, 2020
Indiana, 2015
Education
J.D., Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Indianapolis, Indiana, 2014
- Honors: Norman Lefstein Award of Excellence
B.A., University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 2010
- Major: Political Science
- Honors: Pi Beta Phi
Overview
The healthcare world can be a tumultuous and evolving machine, but Valerie Michael is able to handle any tribulations hurled at her in the healthcare law landscape. Her practice consists primarily of healthcare law, dealing with issues in healthcare professional licensure defense and compliance and regulatory matters. She also handles civil and criminal cases in Medicare and Medicaid fraud, along with facility licensing and certification. Her availability during non-business hours is a boon to physicians continuously occupied with patients at all hours.
Additionally, Valerie is a member of the Legal Ethics and Malpractice group, advising and representing attorneys facing disciplinary and malpractice cases. She also handles professional licensure and matters for all regulated professions in both Kentucky and Indiana, assisting a wide range of professionals including nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and others.
She is eager to help alleviate clients' confusion in complicated legal matters and be efficient throughout every stage of their case. Her ability to grasp new concepts quickly and her commitment to answering her client's questions, no matter how big or small, showcases her commitment to client service.
MORE THAN MCBRAYER
Valerie is a sponsorship committee member for KET Summer Celebration and is a 2025 graduate of Leadership Lexington.
Capabilities, Successes, and Assignments
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Successfully represented physicians and other licensed healthcare professionals in professional licensure matters, including obtaining licenses, defending against disciplinary actions, and preserving the ability of providers to continue practicing.
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Participated in successful appeals before the Kentucky Court of Appeals, including healthcare licensure and certificate‑of‑need matters involving the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
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Participated in successful appeals proceeding to the Kentucky Supreme Court, including briefing and issue development involving administrative authority and statutory interpretation in healthcare‑related cases.
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Developed and executed litigation and regulatory strategy in large‑scale Medicaid reimbursement disputes.
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Represented healthcare providers in Medicaid and Medicare fraud investigations including responding to record requests and compliance reviews involving treatment facilities and recovery homes.
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Assisted healthcare clients in obtaining regulatory approvals for Adult Day Health Care and other licensed facilities, including preparation and submission of applications and supporting documentation through final agency approval.
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Authored healthcare policy and regulatory analyses addressing Medicaid funding, federal safety‑net statutes, and impacts on access to care for Kentucky providers and patients.
- Staff Attorney for the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration - provided legal support for programs such as Indiana Medicaid, Indiana state mental health facilities, and Indiana First Steps
- Directing Attorney of the Lexington North Trial Office of the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy
- Supervised a staff of 15 and maintained her felony caseload of anywhere from 115 to 150 cases.
- Lexington North Trial Office of the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy’s office representative at Fayette County Mental Health Court.
Primary Practice
- Certificate Of Need (CON) Law
- Fraud, Waste and Abuse Claims
- Health Systems Representation
- Healthcare Law
- Healthcare Professional Licensure Defense
- Healthcare Regulatory Compliance
- Legal Ethics and Malpractice
- Medicaid and Medicare Reimbursement
- Medical Malpractice
- Nursing Home Negligence Defense
- Pharmacy Law
- Transactional Healthcare and Transactional Agreements
Additional Practice Experience
Affiliations
Professional Activities
- Kentucky Bar Association
- Fayette County Bar Association
News & Insights
News
- May 15, 2026
- December 17, 2024
- June 25, 2024
- April 26, 2024
Blogs
Blog Posts
- When HIPAA Says Yes but Part 2 Says No, Part Three: Proactive Steps to Take If Your Program Is Under Investigation July 9, 2026
- When HIPAA Says Yes but Part 2 Says No, Part Two: When Investigators Contact Your Employees July 8, 2026
- When HIPAA Says Yes but Part 2 Says No, Part One: What SUD Providers Must Know When Responding to a Subpoena July 7, 2026
- Beyond HIPAA: Legal Risks of Consumer Health Apps and Wearables for Kentucky Healthcare Providers December 4, 2025
- When Safety Nets Fail Together: Medicaid Cuts, ACA Subsidies, and EMTALA August 13, 2025
- New Resident Legal Issues July 1, 2025
- The Heat Turns Up: The 60-Day Rule Gets a Facelift but Changes Create Complications for Providers June 2, 2025
- The Future of DEI in Healthcare: Navigating Compliance and Risk Under New Federal Policies March 11, 2025
- View More »

