Marshall E. Jackson, Jr.
Associate
Office: Washington, DC
Year at Firm: 4
What is your favorite part about practicing healthcare law at McDermott?
My favorite part of practicing healthcare law at McDermott is working with clients that are out in front tackling very interesting and unique issues. The healthcare industry continues to evolve, and our clients are at the forefront. The changes in the industry have required clients to navigate areas of uncertainty, and our clients look to us to help them navigate that uncertainty. I have been blessed to sit shoulder to shoulder with a dynamic McDermott team helping our clients tackle new and unprecedented issues. No day is a dull day.
What is the biggest opportunity and greatest challenge facing clients in your area of focus today?
Many of our clients face the challenge of balancing the need to deliver affordable, quality healthcare to people when and where they need it, while maximizing return on investment for their business within a hot healthcare market. While one side seems provider-centered and the other investor-centered, providers and investors alike grapple with this balancing act. In addressing this balance in the context of an ever-changing industry, our clients are seizing opportunities to embrace new ways to deliver healthcare, and forming strategic partnerships and collaborations to strike the balance. We are increasingly seeing the industry embrace the use of digital heath technologies to allow providers to reach patients and address growing healthcare concerns. We are also seeing providers, payors, retailers, tech companies, and investors collaborating in new ways to spearhead innovation within the industry. It has been great to work with clients to address this challenge through innovative approaches.
What kind of client work gets you most excited when it comes across your desk?
I love working with uncertainty, helping clients find new or innovative ways to address an evolving healthcare industry. Unfortunately, federal and state laws do not always evolve as fast as the rest of the healthcare industry. This leaves clients grappling with how to navigate laws that are not necessarily applicable to their operations. It is exciting to help clients navigate this challenging environment and facilitate new and novel ways to structure deals, improve business operations, and otherwise deliver healthcare.
What is the proudest moment of your career to date?
I attribute many of my accomplishments in my career to the great teams that I have been a part of. One of my proudest moments was a time when I was speaking at a conference and one of our clients, who I had worked with on a complex matter, provided both private and public praise on the work that I and the rest of our McDermott team had done for them. I was happy just to have worked with that client through a very complicated matter on an aggressive timeline to get a positive result, but it felt especially gratifying to hear how big of an impact we had not only on the client but also the community that it serves.
What is your favorite decoration in your office?
I have a set of items in my office that keep me grounded and motivated every day. I have a picture from my daughters that says “Dad is my superhero!” My daughters have set the bar pretty high, and every day I work to meet or exceed their expectations. I also have my saber and crest from the United States Military Academy, with the memorial bracelet of a soldier I served with (and who gave his life) in Afghanistan. The crest and the memorial bracelet are reminders to live a life of service. Hard work and leadership were key principles I internalized at USMA, and I carry those principles still. While the memorial bracelet represents a somber time, I am blessed to have befriended and served with an amazing soldier. Life is short – do what you love and do for others when they cannot do for themselves.
