Eric Bixler
Assistant General Counsel, EmblemHealth
Fox Rothschild, 2016-2017
- J.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Law, 2011
- B.A., Goshen College, 2007
What attracted you to your role at EmblemHealth?
I wanted to get more involved in the business side of health care, and specifically gain managed care experience. At Fox, I represented providers in a broad array of regulatory and transactional matters. As Assistant General Counsel at EmblemHealth, an insurer, I am encountering these issues from a different perspective.
One of the major trends in the health care industry is value-based care. Insurers need to help drive the conversation because they have insight into their members’ claims data, which presents an opportunity to identify trends and close gaps in care. Finally, I also like focusing on serving a single, long-term client. You get to go in-depth on all of the issues.
What do you miss about “Big Law?”
Fox puts a lot of care into training. The firm trains you to think like a Fox lawyer. It provided us with the best resources as far as seminars and presentations. The corporate and transactional training was especially helpful to me. The training covered everything from how to conduct due diligence, to how to draft a purchase agreement for a company, to closing the deal, all while considering the key questions.
Who were your most memorable mentors and how did they shape your career?
I previously worked with Fox health care partner Margie Davino at a different law firm, and she brought me with her to Fox. She reinforced the value of a strong worth ethic. I witnessed Margie build a solid book of business over time, brick by brick. It was amazing to watch how she built relationships with clients.
Mark McCreary, a partner in the Privacy & Data Security Practice, is also my mentor. He impressed me with his ability to find new ways to connect with his business-minded clients. Mark goes beyond explaining the legal issues. He is a genius at presenting material to business people in a way they can easily grasp. He taught me how to do that more efficiently. I use those skills here at EmblemHealth when I’m talking to my internal clients.
Where would we find you during the weekend?
My wife and I have a toddler and a nine-month old baby. They take a lot of our energy and focus, as you can imagine! Parenting in the time of COVID comes with its unique set of challenges, but we love to get the kids outdoors whenever we can do so safely. One of the great things about living in the Greater NYC area is that you have such great access to not only the city, but also a lot of natural beauty. Over the past year, we went camping at some beautiful state parks, including Fahnestock, Hither Hills, Minnewaska and Taconic to name a few.
