Washington D.C. (Feb. 22, 2006) — Vinson & Elkins LLP partner William E. Lawler III was listed as an Outstanding Healthcare Litigator in the January 2006 issue of Nightingale's Healthcare News, a highly respected industry trade publication.

In recognizing Mr. Lawler, the magazine cited his representation of the American Hospital Association and other health care institutions and companies in litigation involving fraud and abuse enforcement, "patient anti-dumping" under COBRA, Medicare reimbursement rules, and the design and implementation of compliance programs.

Mr. Lawler practices at V&E;'s Washington D.C. office. Prior to joining the firm, he served as Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia from 1989-1996. Aside from his health care work, Mr. Lawler's practice focuses on white collar criminal defense matters, including trial work, grand jury proceedings, and congressional and other government investigations.

For more information about this release, please contact Darrin Schlegel, senior communications specialist at Vinson & Elkins, at 713.758.2171 or at dschlegel@velaw.com.

Vinson & Elkins was established in 1917 and is one of the world's largest international law firms. The firm has more than 700 lawyers practicing in Austin, Beijing, Dallas, Dubai, Houston, London, Moscow, New York, Shanghai, Tokyo and Washington D.C. Vinson & Elkins offers a wide range of legal services. Clients include public and private companies, financial institutions, municipalities, governments of sovereign nations, entrepreneurs, families and individuals.