Debbi Johnstone joined the Houston location of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. in 2008. As an accomplished lawyer, and partner, with over 25 years of experience, Debbi's practice focuses on the health care industry. She has worked on matters involving joint ventures, hospital-physician contracting, hospital acquisitions, physician practice acquisitions, physician practice management and physician recruitment and employment. 

Debbi has a special practice focus on compliance and reimbursement matters. She has significant experience advising clients on federal and state government program anti-kickback, physician self-referral (Stark Law), false claims, civil monetary penalty and related sanctions issues, as well as all aspects of coverage and payment under Medicare and Medicaid.

She is board certified in Health Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

• Numerous health care providers in structuring arrangements to comply with the Stark Law, federal and state anti-kickback laws, corporate practice of medicine restrictions and related health laws
• Hospitals in self-disclosure of potential violations to HHS Office of Inspector General, the Department of Justice, CMS and the Texas Medicaid program
• Health care entities in forming physician joint ventures to operate hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, imaging and radiation therapy facilities
• Hospital-affiliated physician organizations in physician practice acquisitions and physician employment
• Health care entities concerning Medicare and Medicaid audit and overpayment matters

• American Bar Association - Health Law Section
• Texas Bar Association - Health Law Section
• Houston Bar Association, Health Law Section Chair (2004 - 2005)
• American Health Lawyers Association
• Healthcare Financial Management Association
• University of Houston Law Center, Adjunct Professor
• Texas Board of Legal Specialization - Health Law Exam Commission (2006 - 2011)

• Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year" - Houston Health Care Law (2012)
• Best Lawyers, Health Care Law (1995 - 2011)
• Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyer, Health Care (2005 - 2011)
• Chambers USA, Nationwide: Health Care (Transactions) (2011)
• "Texas Super Lawyer," Health Care, Law & Politics (2003 - 2011)
•  "Top 50 Women Texas Super Lawyers," Law & Politics (2008, 2010, 2011)
• "Top 100 Houston Texas Super Lawyers" Law & Politics (2010)

Debbi has spoken at numerous trade associations and professional groups on health law issues.

1980 - J.D., cum laude, Indiana University School of Law
1977 - B.A., Political Science, Northwestern University

• DePelchin Children's Center
  • Board of Directors (1997 - present)
  • Chairman of Board (2010 - 2011)