Ashleigh Smaha

Ashleigh Smaha focuses her practice in the areas of health law and data protection, privacy and cybersecurity. Ms. Smaha assists clients with all matters related to health law and data protection, including cyber liability, all aspects of data breaches involving personal, financial, or medical data (investigation, response, notification and defense), and risk management.

In addition, Ashleigh drafts policies and procedures and guides clients through obtaining and maintaining  HIPAA Privacy and Security Rule compliance,  HITECH Act Compliance (including HIPAA updates), and Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) compliance.

Ms. Smaha renders advice and guidance during investigations involving such things as Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute and False Claims Act, and Medicare/Medicaid audits.

She helps clients coordinate risk management assessments, emergency preparedness evaluations and policies, and assists with mental health issues including psychiatric and substance abuse involuntary commitment and guardianships. Ashleigh provides OSHA training, as well as guidance through the abatement and defense process following a complaint.

In providing comprehensive service to her clients, Ms. Smaha renders general business advice, as well as advice regarding other regulatory and compliance matters pertinent to large and small businesses, physician/dental practices, and to hospitals/health systems.

Her experience includes drafting mental health policies, procedures and forms, as well as end-of-life policies and procedures for health system clients, data breach response and notification, assisting clients in reviewing their data protection policies/compliance, crafting EMTALA compliance plans, and OSHA abatement and defense.

Prior to attending law school, Ms. Smaha served as the Practice Manager for a large, multi-location medical office. This experience serves her well in crafting policies and procedures that are comprehensive, yet practical for clients to implement.

EDUCATION:

• Mercer University School of Law, J.D., 2017, cum laude
• Mercer University, B.A. in Business Administration, 2009

ADMISSIONS:

• Georgia, 2017
• Supreme Court of Georgia, 2018
• Georgia Court of Appeals, 2018
• U.S. District Court for the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia, 2018

Professional Honors & Activities:

• Member – American Bar Association
• Member – Georgia State Bar Association (Health Law Section)
• Member – American Health Lawyers Association
• Member – American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)