Jason Watson Email & Phone Number

Orlando, Florida, United States

Oversees a legal team delivering broad general counsel services to several healthcare companies. Shaped reorganization and restructuring of several of those companies and supervised efforts to modify their debt structure to overcome significant industry challenges. Manages outside counsel on all corporate matters and strategic litigation. Advises executive leadership.

Orlando, Florida Area

Implemented a strategic Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring through months of contested litigation resulting in a global settlement without operational disruption to the residents or staff. Led the legal aspects of 70+ acquisitions and divestitures of individual care centers throughout the United States. Served as key legal partner to an interdisciplinary group of senior leadership in the development and implementation of strategic initiatives, including the negotiation of high-impact contracts such as triple-net facility leases and outsourcing of mission-critical services. Supervised outside counsel on a wide range of transactional matters and non-routine litigation.

Orlando, Florida Area

Developed and managed an 8-member team of attorneys, paralegals, and staff who administer the corporate contracting process, resolve commercial disputes, and otherwise support revenue enhancement, facilities/property management, and business functions within the company. Designed systems applying legal tools to bad debt recovery directly increasing revenue by more than $1MM annually. Successfully arbitrated several breach-of-contract disputes, each with more than $1MM in controversy. Routinely appointed to lead or advise on special projects important to executive leadership, such as the acquisition and divestiture of facilities and the company's certificate of need efforts.

Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area

Collaborated with the business to build a new legal department for a healthcare company that doubled in size to more than 200 skilled nursing facilities in 21 states resulting in more efficient and improved service levels and a per-bed reduction in legal expense. Developed and implemented a company-wide contract management process, a legal project management process, and enhanced aspects of HIPAA compliance. Served as district general counsel for multiple operations teams.

Tampa

Represented skilled nursing facilities and other senior care businesses throughout the state of Florida in general and professional liability litigation. Transitioned from this position to an in-house role when two clients merged.

Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area

Practice focused on complex commercial litigation with an emphasis on the construction and surety industries. Represented national sureties and contractors in disputes involving government contracts, bid protests, surety bonds, and subcontracts.

Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area

Represented a wide range of businesses and individuals in complex business disputes, including litigation over contracts, the enforceability of non-competition agreements, and common law claims.

Prepared legal and policy analysis of proposed legislation for review by representatives, staff, and the public. Sheparded bills as a non-partisan staff member from filing through committees and to a full vote of the House.

Tallahassee, Florida Area

Researched federal and state law issues for full-service civil litigation law firm while attending law school. Drafted inter-office memoranda, motions, and pleadings.

Responsible for gathering, writing, and videotaping state and local news events.

Produced, scripted, edited and hosted television segments airing throughout the state of Florida on cable and radio programming airing locally in Tallahassee, Florida.

Tallahassee, Florida Area

Managed the weekend assignment desk for a new, state-wide cable news organization after having worked in their bureau in Southwest Florida.

Master'S, Public Administration & Policy

Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, Law

Bachelor Of Science, Communication