AGG Forms Gender-Affirming Care Investigations Response Team

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 21, 2026 – Arnall Golden Gregory LLP (AGG) has established a Gender-Affirming Care Investigations Response Team to defend healthcare providers, academic medical centers, and related institutions facing federal investigations and enforcement actions led by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for providing gender-affirming care.

These investigations increasingly put hospitals, universities, pharmaceutical companies, physicians, and healthcare programs at risk of federal funding disruption and operational interference. Additionally, these matters often involve parallel inquiries by DOJ, HHS-OIG, and HHS-OGC, as well as emerging legal theories that place clinical judgment and patient care decisions under intense scrutiny.

Led by Gabriel H. Scannapieco, AGG Healthcare partner; Brian R. Stimson, AGG Healthcare co-chair; and Kevin A. Lake, of counsel in the firm’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice, the team is comprised of former senior-level government attorneys with first-hand experience navigating the legal, political, and reputational dynamics driving these investigations. Focused on responding quickly and strategically to these high-stakes pursuits, AGG’s attorneys bring their experience and knowledge to bear in defending providers and ensuring continuity of clinical services.

“As DOJ and HHS are pursuing novel and heightened enforcement strategies targeting providers of gender-affirming care, it takes an insider perspective to anticipate these investigations and respond effectively,” said Kevin, who previously served as an attorney in the National Complex Litigation and Investigation Division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Our experience in government and private practice allows us to properly defend against government actions and create proactive compliance strategies that reduce future risk.”

The Gender-Affirming Care Investigations Response Team provides defense and compliance counseling to support providers and institutions facing government investigations, federal funding and reimbursement risks, and expanded enforcement oversight. It also offers rapid response capability for clients facing urgent inquiries or subpoenas.

In addition to active defense, the team works closely with general counsel, compliance officers, and HR leaders to assess and adjust their internal policies, particularly those related to employment practices, clinical protocols, federal grant and contract certifications, and internal compliance frameworks, to minimize exposure and demonstrate compliance.

“With gender-affirming care increasingly becoming the subject of regulatory and legal challenges, providers and institutions can find themselves vulnerable to costly inquiries and protracted litigation,” Brian said. “Our team is built to help clients navigate this environment responsibly.”

Gabe added, “The team’s broad experience enables us to evaluate risk quickly and respond with practical, defensible solutions that reinforce organizations’ commitment to patient-centered care.”

ABOUT ARNALL GOLDEN GREGORY LLP

Arnall Golden Gregory (AGG) is an Am Law 200 law firm with offices in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. Our client-service model is rooted in taking a “business sensibility” approach of fully understanding how our clients’ legal matters fit into their overall business objectives. Our transaction, litigation, regulatory, and privacy counselors serve clients in healthcare, real estate, retail, technology, fintech/payment systems, global commerce/global mobility, life sciences, logistics and transportation, government investigations, and government contracts. With our rich experience and know-how, we don’t ask “if,” we figure out “how.” Visit us at www.agg.com.