Enamored with the role of the attorney as a differentiator in the community, Stephanie Carman entered law school at her father’s heels. Beyond her ultimate role model, her father, Carman was brought into the legal system under the wing of some very influential men and women, including U.S. Senator Connie Mack, U.S. District Court Judges, Ungaro and Graham and Professor Richard Hausler.
Following a few years of general state and federal litigation matters, Carman was exposed to enough health care legal issues to choose a specialty. “I work with universities, hospitals, hospices, physician practices, physicians, laboratories and home health agencies,” she said.
One of Carman’s main joys in the practice of health law is learning about her clients’ businesses. “In particular, I enjoy arriving at a strategy to effectively and efficiently meet their needs and their goals,” she said. “I’m continually presented with challenging and unique matters and enjoy working through them by expanding my knowledge.”
With regulations constantly in flux, Carman works hard to stay abreast of the health care industry’s legal needs.
“My colleagues at Hogan Lovells are among the leading experts in their fields,” she said. “I have been fortunate to have many of them as mentors since joining the firm after law school. In particular, Carol Licko, Richard Lorenzo, Torrey McClarry, Jeff Schneider, Peter Spivack and Cliff Stromberg have been wonderful mentors. I have also been mentored by other bar leaders and co-counsels.”
Carman’s hard work has not gone unnoticed, she was recently invited to be an American Bar Association fellow and is proud to have been the recipient of various awards, including the Florida Bar young lawyers division’s Lynn Futch Most Productive Lawyer Award. Carman has also been fortunate to be elected to officer positions in various local bar associations, including her time as president of the Dade County Bar Association’s young lawyers division.
Carman is also involved in the local community, “I served as the chair of the annual Step Out Walk for the local American Diabetes Community board,” she said. She is also a member of the Legal Services of Greater Miami board of directors.
Of all her honors and recognitions, Carman still believes that the greatest compliment she can receive for her practice is a client’s thank you for a job well done.
When asked about her advice for other attorneys, Carman said, “Be a people person and get involved. While it can be risky to run for leadership positions, serving in these positions is very satisfying and rewarding. I have learned immensely from my leadership roles, met some of my best friends through them and feel we have made a difference in our community.”
In looking to the overall judicial system, Carman’s recommendation for the overburdened judiciary is to follow the federal court system model. “Each state court judge should be assigned a law clerk to assist them in handling these overloaded calendars.”
Outside of the office, Carman enjoys traveling, shopping, photography, reading and spending time with family and friends. She also shared that she has been a vegetarian for over 33 years.
In looking ahead to 2015, Carman said, “I am excited to see the development of my cases, investigations and hospital projects this year. I also look forward to continuing my work in the bar and the community.”
