Healthcare Legal Services
Legal Services for Medical Professionals
Dedicated legal counsel for physicians, dentists, veterinarians, and healthcare providers across Texas. We understand the unique challenges of medical practice and provide tailored solutions to protect your career, practice, and family.
Who We Serve
Healthcare Providers We Support
We serve a diverse range of medical professionals, from solo practitioners to large group practices, providing specialized legal services tailored to each specialty.
Physicians & Surgeons
Solo practitioners, group practices, and medical specialists
Dentists & Orthodontists
General dentistry, specialty practices, and dental groups
Veterinarians
Animal hospitals, specialty clinics, and mobile practices
Optometrists & Ophthalmologists
Eye care practices and vision centers
Chiropractors
Chiropractic clinics and wellness centers
Other Healthcare Providers
Physical therapists, psychologists, nurse practitioners, and more
Serving a Diverse Medical Community
Trusted by Physicians Across Texas
We proudly serve a diverse community of medical professionals, including the growing number of Indian physicians who have made Texas their home.
Women Physicians
Practice & Estate Planning
Medical Specialists
Asset Protection & PLLC
Modern Practice
Succession Planning
Eye Care Specialists
Practice Formation
Protect Your Practice and Family
Coordinated PLLC, asset-protection, and emergency succession planning — built for Texas physicians.
Our Services
Comprehensive Legal Services for Healthcare
From practice formation to succession planning, we provide full-service legal support designed specifically for medical professionals.
Practice Entity Formation
Establish the right business structure for your medical practice. Under Texas law, physicians and licensed medical professionals cannot use the Professional Corporation (PC) structure. Your only options are a Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) or a Professional Association (PA). We help you choose the right structure and handle formation from start to finish.
- PLLC Formation & Operating Agreements
- Professional Association (PA) Formation
- Shareholder & Governance Agreements
- State Licensing & TMB Compliance
Partnership & Associate Agreements
Protect your interests when bringing in partners or associates with comprehensive agreements that address buy-ins, profit sharing, and governance.
- Partnership Agreements
- Associate Employment Contracts
- Buy-In/Buy-Out Provisions
- Non-Compete Agreements
Practice Buy-Sell Agreements
Plan for every scenario—retirement, disability, death, or departure—with well-crafted buy-sell agreements that protect both the practice and individual practitioners.
- Valuation Methods
- Triggering Events
- Funding Mechanisms
- Transition Planning
Employment Contracts
Comprehensive employment agreements for physicians, associates, and staff that protect your practice while remaining competitive in recruiting talent.
- Physician Employment Agreements
- Staff Contracts
- Independent Contractor Agreements
- Termination Provisions
Asset Protection Planning
Protect your personal assets from professional liability claims with strategic planning that separates your practice assets from personal wealth.
- Entity Structuring
- Insurance Planning
- Real Estate Ownership
- Retirement Plan Protection
Regulatory Compliance
Navigate the complex regulatory landscape of healthcare with guidance on compliance requirements, licensing, and governance matters.
- State Board Requirements
- Corporate Practice of Medicine
- HIPAA Compliance Guidance
- Peer Review Protection
Deep-Dive Service Pages
Explore Each Physician Service
Six dedicated service pages covering everything a Texas physician needs from a legal partner.
Why Continuum Counsel
Your Trusted Legal Partner
Specialized Experience
Over 29 years of experience serving medical professionals across Texas, understanding the unique challenges of healthcare practice.
Tailored Solutions
Every recommendation is customized to your specific practice type, size, goals, and risk tolerance.
Long-Term Partnership
We build lasting relationships, serving as your trusted advisor through every stage of your professional career.
Family-Focused
We understand that your practice supports your family, and we integrate business planning with estate planning for complete protection.
Your Attorney
Darryl V. Pratt, Esq., CPA
With over 29 years of experience and a unique combination of legal and accounting expertise, Darryl Pratt brings unparalleled insight to the business and legal needs of medical professionals. His CPA background ensures that every recommendation considers both legal protection and financial optimization.
Having served hundreds of physicians, dentists, and healthcare providers throughout Texas, Mr. Pratt understands the specific challenges you face—from the Corporate Practice of Medicine doctrine to partnership disputes to succession planning.
- Licensed Attorney in Texas
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- 29+ Years Serving Medical Professionals
- AVVO Superb Rating
Common Questions
Medical Practice Legal FAQs
Q:What type of business entity should I use for my medical practice in Texas?
A:Under the Texas Business Organizations Code (BOC) § 301 et seq., a Professional Corporation (PC) may be formed for rendering a 'professional service' — but physicians (MDs), doctors of osteopathy, and certain other medical professionals are specifically restricted from forming PCs due to the corporate practice of medicine doctrine and specific statutory provisions. Your only two options are a Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) or a Professional Association (PA). PLLCs are the most common choice, offering operational flexibility, pass-through taxation, and personal liability protection. PAs are another option, particularly for larger multi-physician groups. We analyze your specific situation to recommend the right structure.
Q:Why can't physicians form a Professional Corporation (PC) in Texas?
A:While PCs are available to dozens of licensed professions in Texas — including attorneys, CPAs, dentists, veterinarians, optometrists, pharmacists, and many others — physicians and certain medical professionals are carved out by statute. The Texas Secretary of State's Guide for Determining Permissible Entity Types for Licensed Professions confirms that physician specialties (e.g., anesthesiologists, psychiatrists, radiologists, sports medicine) are ineligible for PC formation. This restriction stems from the corporate practice of medicine doctrine. Physicians must instead form a PLLC or PA.
Q:What is the Corporate Practice of Medicine doctrine and how does it affect my practice?
A:Texas prohibits corporations from practicing medicine or employing physicians to practice medicine (with limited exceptions for certain hospital systems and university settings). This is why physicians cannot form a PC — Texas law is unambiguous on this point. Your practice must be structured as a PLLC or PA. We ensure your entity formation, management service organization (MSO) arrangements, and all employment contracts comply with these requirements while maximizing your business flexibility and protecting your professional autonomy.
Q:Can related mental health professionals jointly own a PC in Texas?
A:Yes. Texas law permits certain related mental health professionals — including psychologists, licensed professional counselors, clinical social workers, and licensed marriage and family therapists (excluding physicians) — to jointly own a PC for services within their respective scopes of practice. However, all shareholders, directors, officers, and governing persons of the PC must be licensed professionals authorized to provide the same professional service. This is a narrow exception, and legal counsel is advisable to ensure compliance with ownership and governance restrictions.
Q:When should I start thinking about a buy-sell agreement?
A:Ideally, a buy-sell agreement should be in place from day one of any multi-owner practice. If you're a solo practitioner, you should have a plan for practice continuity in case of your death or disability. The best time to create these agreements is when relationships are good and everyone is thinking clearly—not during a crisis.
Q:How can I protect my personal assets from malpractice claims?
A:Asset protection for medical professionals involves multiple strategies: proper entity structuring (PLLC or PA), adequate malpractice insurance, separation of business and personal assets, strategic real estate ownership, and protected retirement accounts. We create a comprehensive plan that provides maximum protection within legal and ethical bounds.
Q:What should be included in a physician employment agreement?
A:Key provisions include compensation structure (base salary, productivity bonuses, benefits), term and termination provisions, non-compete and non-solicitation clauses, tail insurance responsibilities, call coverage requirements, and partnership track details if applicable. We ensure agreements protect your interests whether you're the employer or employee.
Q:Do you help with practice acquisitions and sales?
A:Yes, we assist with all aspects of practice transitions including due diligence, purchase agreement negotiation, asset vs. stock purchases, transition planning, and post-closing matters. We also help with partnership buy-ins and internal ownership transitions.
Q:How do you integrate business planning with estate planning for medical professionals?
A:Your medical practice is likely your largest asset. We coordinate business succession planning with your personal estate plan to ensure a seamless transition that minimizes taxes, provides for your family, and protects the practice. This includes buy-sell funding with life insurance, trust planning, and retirement account strategies.
Q:What makes your firm different from other business law firms?
A:Our attorney, Darryl V. Pratt, combines legal expertise with CPA credentials and over 29 years of experience specifically serving Texas medical professionals. We understand healthcare practice economics, regulatory requirements, and the unique challenges you face. We're not just lawyers—we're trusted advisors who speak your language.
Ready to Protect Your Future?
Take the first step toward securing your legacy. Schedule a free consultation with our experienced team or contact us today to discuss your legal needs.
Call us directly: (888) 517-4575