Selina P. Coleman

Selina serves as deputy chair of Reed Smith's Life Sciences Health Industry Group and leads the firm’s Retail Pharmacy team. She defends health care companies in high-stakes litigation, including False Claims Act cases and national class actions, and supports clients’ business objectives in complex legal landscapes. Selina was recognized as Lawyer of the Year for Health Care Litigation in Washington, D.C. by The Best Lawyers in America® 2027.

Selina’s clients view her as a trusted partner who leverages her industry knowledge and litigation experience in handling disputes and seeking to mitigate risks. Clients say that Selina has a “deep industry practice, particularly when it comes to issues facing healthcare providers,” and “pairs this experience with unflappable legal skills and a high level of efficiency” (The Legal 500, 2023).

Experience

Representative matters

Successfully defended a major pharmaceutical manufacturer in claims brought under the Health Resources & Services Administration’s (HRSA’s) 340B Administrative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process, resulting in the ADR Panel determining that the manufacturer did not overcharge the claimant covered entities

Successfully secured the dismissal of a False Claims Act lawsuit brought by a qui tam whistleblower, in which the court granted full summary judgment in favor of the health system, dismissing all claims based on the False Claims Act’s public disclosure bar and on the relator’s failure to establish either scienter or materiality

Defending national retail pharmacy chains and hospitals in lawsuits brought under the False Claims Act alleging improper submission of health care claims, including obtaining dismissals at the motion to dismiss stage

Experience

Representing health care clients, including pharmacies, in both defending and pursuing claims in arbitrations relating to contractual disputes

Challenging agency actions under federal Administrative Procedures Act and state law equivalents, including securing win based on Medicaid agency’s failure to conduct proper rulemaking on behalf of a national industry group

Defending national retail pharmacy chains in putative class actions related to prescription drug pricing

Advising on compliance considerations, including in the wake of the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision

Negotiating the resolution of investigations by the Department of Justice, including related to alleged violations of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and the False Claims Act

Conducting internal investigations for health care companies based on allegations of former employees / potential whistleblowers

Preparing submissions of self-disclosures or refunds to government payers related to the federal Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, or other applicable laws

Representing hospitals and health care systems in administrative appeals related to reimbursement matters

Assisting health care companies with revising policies and procedures in response to emerging rules, laws, guidelines, and standards

Recognitions

Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® (Litigation - Health Care; Qui Tam Law), 2021–2027; “Lawyer of the Year” for Litigation - Health Care in Washington, D.C., 2027
Named to Thomson Reuters’ Stand-Out Lawyers list, 2023-2026
AI Visionary, Relativity, 2022

Credentials

Education

University of Virginia School of Law, J.D.
College of William & Mary, B.A., summa cum laude; Phi Beta Kappa

Professional admissions & qualifications

District of Columbia
Virginia

Professional affiliations

American Society for Pharmacy Law
District of Columbia Bar
- Financial Officer of the Steering Committee for the Health Law Section (2015-2016)
- Co-Chair of the Steering Committee for the Health Law Section (2013-2015)
- Chair of the Programs Committee for the Health Law Section (2010-2012)

Practices

False Claims Act

Emerging Technologies

Litigation & Disputes

Business & Commercial Disputes

Class & Collective Action Litigation

E-Discovery

Artificial Intelligence

Industries

Health Care & Life Sciences

Health Care Services Regulatory, Compliance & Operations Counseling

Retail & Consumer Goods