1. Home
  2. |Professionals
  3. |Michael W. Lieberman

Michael W. Lieberman

Partner
Partner
bWxpZWJlcm1hbkBjcm93ZWxsLmNvbQ==
VCard
VCard

Areas of Focus

Overview

Mike Lieberman is co-chair of Crowell’s Health Care Group and a member of the firm’s Litigation and Trial and White Collar and Regulatory Enforcement groups. Mike’s practice serves clients across the health care industry, with a particular focus on managed care companies, health plans, government contractors, and other sophisticated health care companies. 

Mikes practice runs the gamut:

  • Mike litigates all manner of cases in federal, state, and arbitral forums, including class actions, payor-provider disputes, disputes with state and federal governments, and other complex commercial matters;
  • Mike handles high stakes government and internal investigations, with particular experience in cases involving the False Claims Act and allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse; and
  • Mike advises on a range of regulatory issues and has extensive knowledge of programs such as Medicare Advantage, Medicaid Managed Care, Affordable Care Act exchanges, and commercial health plans.

With nearly two decades of practice in the health care industry, Mike knows the complex challenges facing health care companies, and he works hard to give practical advice and advocacy that balances legal risks against business needs.

Prior to Crowell & Moring, Mike served as a senior editor and board member for the Georgetown Law Journal. He participated in the Georgetown Criminal Justice Clinic, where he received the Alan J. Goldstein Memorial Award for his "use of intelligence, creativity, and resourcefulness in defending criminal clients."

Mike also worked as military legislative assistant to Congressman John M. Spratt, Jr. (D-SC), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee. For his work, Mike received the Palmetto Patriot Award in 2006 for service to the state of South Carolina and the South Carolina National Guard.  Mike also served as a law clerk in the Federal Major Crimes Division of U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.

Mike was recognized by Law360 as a “Top Attorney Under 40” for health law in 2017. Mike was also recognized by Super Lawyers as a 2014–2018 "Rising Star" for Washington, D.C. in Civil Litigation Defense.

Mike is a member of the Virginia, Florida, and D.C. bars. He served as a board member of the D.C. Bar Association and a member of the committee revising the civil jury instructions for D.C. Superior Court.

Career & Education

    • United States House of Representatives
      Military Legislative Assistant, Representative John Spratt, Jr., 2004–2007
      Legislative Assistant, Representative John Spratt, Jr., 2001–2003
    • United States House of Representatives
      Military Legislative Assistant, Representative John Spratt, Jr., 2004–2007
      Legislative Assistant, Representative John Spratt, Jr., 2001–2003

    • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, 2008
    • Duke University, B.A., 2001
    • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, 2008
    • Duke University, B.A., 2001

    • District of Columbia
    • Florida
    • Virginia
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
    • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
    • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
    • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
    • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
    • Florida Supreme Court
    • Supreme Court of Virginia
    • Superior Court of the District of Columbia
    • State Courts in Florida
    • State Courts in Virginia
    • District of Columbia
    • Florida
    • Virginia
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
    • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
    • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
    • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
    • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
    • Florida Supreme Court
    • Supreme Court of Virginia
    • Superior Court of the District of Columbia
    • State Courts in Florida
    • State Courts in Virginia

Michael's Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 05.16.25

Trump Administration Pauses Enforcement of the MHPAEA Final Rule

The Departments of Labor (“DOL”), Health and Human Services (“HHS”), and Treasury (the “Tri-Agencies”) have signaled that changes may be coming to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (“MHPAEA”) Final Rule issued on September 8, 2024. On May 9, 2025, the Tri-Agencies filed a Motion for Abeyance in a lawsuit brought by the ERISA Industry Committee (“ERIC”) challenging the 2024 final MHPAEA regulations in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.[1] The Motion, which was granted by the Court, indicated that the Tri-Agencies intend to “reconsider” the Final Rule, including “whether to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking rescinding or modifying the Final Rule.” Yesterday, on May 15, 2025, the Tri-Agencies issued a notice of non-enforcement stating that they “will not enforce the 2024 Final Rule or otherwise pursue enforcement actions, based on a failure to comply that occurs prior to a final decision in the litigation, plus an additional 18 months.”...

View All Insights

Representative Matters

  • Representing national health insurance companies in arbitrations and trials against major hospital systems regarding payment of claims in Florida, New York, Maryland, Virginia, California, and elsewhere.
  • Representing a national health insurance company in False Claims Act investigations regarding payments under governmental healthcare programs.
  • Representing health plans in a multimillion-dollar contract disputes regarding Medicaid and Medicare payment methodologies.
  • Representing health plans in Florida in multiple lawsuits regarding reimbursement for out-of-network services for exchange health plans.
  • Defending a New York health plan in multiple suits involving reimbursement for behavioral health and home care services.
  • Defending a national health care consulting company in arbitration and trial regarding services to build a new health plan.
  • Defending national and regional health insurance companies in class actions and government investigations regarding alleged violations of mental health parity laws.
  • Defending eight health insurance companies in multi-district litigation (MDL) class actions asserting antitrust claims.
  • Serving as class counsel for tens of thousands of black farmers who alleged discrimination by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the administration of farm loan programs. Mike helped negotiate and implement a $1.25 billion settlement for the class—one of the largest civil rights judgments ever against the U.S. government.

Michael's Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 05.16.25

Trump Administration Pauses Enforcement of the MHPAEA Final Rule

The Departments of Labor (“DOL”), Health and Human Services (“HHS”), and Treasury (the “Tri-Agencies”) have signaled that changes may be coming to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (“MHPAEA”) Final Rule issued on September 8, 2024. On May 9, 2025, the Tri-Agencies filed a Motion for Abeyance in a lawsuit brought by the ERISA Industry Committee (“ERIC”) challenging the 2024 final MHPAEA regulations in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.[1] The Motion, which was granted by the Court, indicated that the Tri-Agencies intend to “reconsider” the Final Rule, including “whether to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking rescinding or modifying the Final Rule.” Yesterday, on May 15, 2025, the Tri-Agencies issued a notice of non-enforcement stating that they “will not enforce the 2024 Final Rule or otherwise pursue enforcement actions, based on a failure to comply that occurs prior to a final decision in the litigation, plus an additional 18 months.”...

View All Insights

Recognition

  • Super Lawyers: Rising Star, Civil Litigation Defense, District of Columbia, 2014–2018
  • Law360: Top Attorney Under 40, Health Law, 2017
  • Palmetto Patriot Award, 2006

Michael's Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 05.16.25

Trump Administration Pauses Enforcement of the MHPAEA Final Rule

The Departments of Labor (“DOL”), Health and Human Services (“HHS”), and Treasury (the “Tri-Agencies”) have signaled that changes may be coming to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (“MHPAEA”) Final Rule issued on September 8, 2024. On May 9, 2025, the Tri-Agencies filed a Motion for Abeyance in a lawsuit brought by the ERISA Industry Committee (“ERIC”) challenging the 2024 final MHPAEA regulations in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.[1] The Motion, which was granted by the Court, indicated that the Tri-Agencies intend to “reconsider” the Final Rule, including “whether to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking rescinding or modifying the Final Rule.” Yesterday, on May 15, 2025, the Tri-Agencies issued a notice of non-enforcement stating that they “will not enforce the 2024 Final Rule or otherwise pursue enforcement actions, based on a failure to comply that occurs prior to a final decision in the litigation, plus an additional 18 months.”...

View All Insights

Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 05.16.25

Trump Administration Pauses Enforcement of the MHPAEA Final Rule

Client Alert | 4 min read | 01.23.25

Tri-Agencies Release Third Mental Health Parity Report to Congress

Publication | 12.23.24

Tri-Agencies Finalize NQTL Comparative Analysis Standards In Final Rule

Webinar | 09.13.24

Navigating the New MHPAEA Final Rule: Compliance and Enforcement Insights

View All Insights

Practices

Industries

Michael's Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 05.16.25

Trump Administration Pauses Enforcement of the MHPAEA Final Rule

The Departments of Labor (“DOL”), Health and Human Services (“HHS”), and Treasury (the “Tri-Agencies”) have signaled that changes may be coming to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (“MHPAEA”) Final Rule issued on September 8, 2024. On May 9, 2025, the Tri-Agencies filed a Motion for Abeyance in a lawsuit brought by the ERISA Industry Committee (“ERIC”) challenging the 2024 final MHPAEA regulations in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.[1] The Motion, which was granted by the Court, indicated that the Tri-Agencies intend to “reconsider” the Final Rule, including “whether to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking rescinding or modifying the Final Rule.” Yesterday, on May 15, 2025, the Tri-Agencies issued a notice of non-enforcement stating that they “will not enforce the 2024 Final Rule or otherwise pursue enforcement actions, based on a failure to comply that occurs prior to a final decision in the litigation, plus an additional 18 months.”...

View All Insights