Click here to contact Philip J. VanDerhoef
Phil VanDerhoef is a Seattle native who returned home for law school and the practice of law after obtaining his undergraduate degree in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame in 1981. While at Notre Dame, Phil was elected Phi Beta Kappa, and graduated magna cum laude. During law school at the University of Washington, Phil was elected to the Moot Court Honor Board and was a member of the Washington Law Review for two years. He served as the Executive Editor for Notes and Comments in his final year.
Phil began working for a large Seattle law firm in 1984 and became a partner in that firm in 1991. Wanting to practice in a smaller firm, Phil and the other founding members of Fain Sheldon Anderson & VanDerhoef, PLLC formed their own firm in 1997. They continue to serve their long-term clients and have expanded their practices to serve developing needs in the fluid environment of health care.
Phil represents physicians and other professionals in malpractice actions in the civil courts, in disciplinary proceedings before state agencies (professional boards and Quality Assurance Commissions), in hospital privileges disputes within hospital organizations, and in disputes with health care insurance plans and networks. His experience includes civil jury trials, administrative agency proceedings, insurance plan appeals, and hospital medical staff proceedings. Phil also has extensive experience advising and consulting with large health care institutions on quality improvement plans and risk management issues.
Phil’s work with his clients includes urgent or emergent consultation on evolving potentially adverse events, representation in legal matters, and educational presentations on evolving areas of law effecting health care providers, safe medical practices, and risk management strategies.
Phil is licensed to practice law in the states of Washington and Idaho. His clients include individual health care providers, multi-specialty clinics, hospitals, and health care training programs.
Litigation Experience
- Defense of professional malpractice actions
- Representation in professional licensing matters before state licensing boards and Washington State Quality Assurance Commissions
- Consultation and participation in the management of developing emergencies involving, and potential claims against, health care providers and health care facilities
- Consultation and participation in drafting and implementation of policies and procedures for quality assurance processes and risk management
- Representation of physicians in hospital privilege and insurance plan matters
- General civil litigation including personal injury and product liability
- Review and negotiation of partnership and employment agreements
Professional Experience
- 1997—Present
Founding Member, Fain Sheldon Anderson & VanDerhoef, PLLC
- 1984—1997
Williams, Kastner & Gibbs, LLP, Seattle, WA (Partner 1992—1997)
- Rated "AV" by Martindale-Hubbell
Education
- University of Washington, J.D., 1984
Law Review 1982-1984, Executive Editor, Notes and Comments 1983-1984=
Moot Court Honor Board
- University of Notre Dame, B.A., Philosophy, magna cum laude, 1981
Phi Beta Kappa
Admitted to Bar
- State of Washington
- State of Idaho
- United States District Court, Western District of Washington
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Washington
- United States District Court, District of Idaho
Professional Associations/Activities