Richard G. Cowart

Shareholder

Nashville
T: 615.726.5660
F: 615.744.5660

Richard G. Cowart is chair of the Firm's Health Law/Government Relations & Public Policy Department.

Professional Biography

The Health and Public Policy Department of Baker Donelson is regarded as one of the premiere health law practices in the country. It has been nationally ranked as one of the top ten health law practices in the nation by Modern Healthcare, Chambers USA, Health Lawyers News and other health care publications for more than 20 consecutive years.

Mr. Cowart is the founder of the Firm's Health Law Department and has served as its chairman for over 30 years. He has also chaired the Firm's Government Relations and Public Policy practice for more than 20 years. He is a recognized authority in advising boards and senior management regarding strategy policy, and business issues related to health care.

Mr. Cowart is a nationally known speaker and writer on health care issues. He was the national columnist for Medical News, Inc. for nearly 20 years and the health business columnist for The Tennessean for more than a decade.

Past President, American Health Law Association
Recipient – American Health Law Association David R. Greenburg Award (Lifetime Service to Health Law)
Fellow – American Health Law Association
Editorial Board Member – Journal of Health & Life Sciences Law
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America^® for Health Care Law since 1991
AV^® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell (since 1992)
Listed in Chambers USA as a leading Health Care lawyer

Local Recognitions

Nashville Business Journal's "Health Care Heroes"
Nashville Post "In Charge" list - Health Care
Nashville Medical News "In Charge" list – Health Care
Business Tennessee "150 Best Lawyers" (healthcare and transactional law)

Civic Honors & Activities

Lipscomb University
- Chair, Board of Trustees
  - Member, Executive Committee
  - Chairman, Governance Committee
- Board of Visitors, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
American Heart Association
- Chairman, Board of Directors (MS Affiliate)
- Chairman, Board of Directors (TN Affiliate)
- Recipient, Middle Tennessee American Heart Association's Lifetime Service Award
NASBA Center for Public Trust
- Recipient – National Integrity Award
Goodwill Industries
- Volunteer of the Year
The Hermitage (Home of President Andrew Jackson)
- Regent (Chairman, Board of Directors)
- Chairman, National Advisory Council
Vanderbilt University
- Owen School of Business Advisory Board
- Fellow, Health Solutions Group
Southern Center of Journalism and Politics (Overby Center) - University of Mississippi
- Board of Directors
National Association for Community Service
- Recipient – Distinguished Community Leadership Award
Leadership Mississippi
- President
Mississippi 2000 Commission
- Chairman
Mississippi Institute of Arts & Letters
- Founder
Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference
- Founder
Mississippi Symphony Orchestra Association
- Board of Governors

2022 Health Care Outlook (March 2022)
How Health Care Organizations Can Take Advantage of Increased Federal Funding of COVID-19-Related Costs (March 2021)
2021 Health Care Outlook (February 2021)

Baker Donelson Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 Listing (August 15, 2024)
Chambers USA Ranks 88 Baker Donelson Attorneys in 2024 Edition (June 6, 2024)
44 Baker Donelson Attorneys Named to 2023 Mid-South Super Lawyers; 32 Named to Mid-South Rising Stars (November 28, 2023)
Baker Donelson Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America^® 2024 Listing (August 17, 2023)
Chambers USA Ranks 80 Baker Donelson Attorneys in 2023 Edition (June 2, 2023)
55 Baker Donelson Attorneys Named to 2022 Mid-South Super Lawyers; 30 Named to Mid-South Rising Stars (November 29, 2022)
Baker Donelson Attorneys Earn Recognition in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023 Listing (August 18, 2022)
79 Baker Donelson Attorneys Ranked in Chambers USA 2022 (June 6, 2022)
61 Baker Donelson Attorneys Named to 2021 Mid-South Super Lawyers; 34 Named to Mid-South Rising Stars (November 30, 2021)
Baker Donelson Names New Leaders in Health Law Group (October 28, 2021)
Baker Donelson Grows Health Law Practice and Geographic Reach, Adding Team of North Carolina Attorneys (October 12, 2021)
Baker Donelson Attorneys Earn Recognition in The Best Lawyers in America® 2022 Listing (August 19, 2021)
80 Baker Donelson Attorneys Ranked in Chambers USA 2021 (May 25, 2021)
69 Baker Donelson Attorneys Named to 2020 Mid-South Super Lawyers; 38 Named to Mid-South Rising Stars (November 30, 2020)
Baker Donelson Top-Listed in the Nation in Six Practice Areas in The Best Lawyers in America^® 2021 Listing (August 20, 2020)
78 Baker Donelson Attorneys Ranked in Chambers USA 2020 (April 27, 2020)

Lipscomb University Highlights Board of Trustees Chair Dick Cowart (April 29, 2023)
Dick Cowart and Christy Tosh Crider Featured in Law360 Q&A (July 22, 2020)

2022 Health Care Outlook (March 3, 2022)
How Health Care Organizations Can Take Advantage of Increased Federal Funding of COVID-19-Related Costs (March 11, 2021)
2021 Health Care Outlook (February 16, 2021)

Practices

Industries

Education

University of Mississippi School of Law, J.D., 1978, with honors
- Editor, Law Review
University of Southern Mississippi, B.S.B.A., 1975, magna cum laude
- Student Body President

Admissions

Tennessee, 1999
Mississippi, 1978

Featured Media

Baker Donelson Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 Listing

Press Release / August 15, 2024

Chambers USA Ranks 88 Baker Donelson Attorneys in 2024 Edition

Press Release / June 6, 2024

44 Baker Donelson Attorneys Named to 2023 Mid-South Super Lawyers; 32 Named to Mid-South Rising Stars

Press Release / November 28, 2023

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Baker Donelson is a national law firm with more than 650 attorneys and public policy advisors representing more than 30 practice areas to serve a wide range of legal needs. Clients receive knowledgeable guidance from experienced, multi-disciplined industry and client service teams, all seamlessly connected across 24 offices in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.